PCG: Philippine Coast Guard delegates joined the 11th bilateral meeting with the Korean Coast Guard (KCG) at Incheon, Sejong, Yeosu and Seoul in Korea last 23-28 April 2017.

The Director General of International Cooperation of the KCG, Senior Superintendent Kang Seong Gi has expressed his gratitude toward the PCG for keeping the Asia maritime region safe and peaceful.

The KCG delegation was led by Senior Superintendent General Ryu Chun Yeol, the Director General of Maritime Guard Bureau.

The KCG and PCG cooperation started as early as 28 November 2003 and was formalized through a Record of Discussion.

The meeting envisions to establish a formal and personal relationship between the officials of the two agencies.

The first bilateral meeting was held at Headquarters Philippine Coast Guard, culminated in the informal agreement on the exchange of information in relation to transnational crimes, the establish of direct lines of communications, cooperation in the conduct of maritime search and rescue and extending mutual legal assistance in the investigation of maritime crimes and the conduct of annual meeting to be hosted alternately between the two countries. Both agencies have accomplished numerous valuable outcomes.

Said meeting discussed the past cooperation and accomplishments, strengthening information sharing to cope with transnational crimes, request on using PCG’s airbase for SAR operations, technical cooperation and personnel exchanges and program of activities for 2018.

A joint exercise is expected next year as PCG expressed its invitation for the 12th Bilateral meeting in the Philippines.