South Korea Proposes Seoul as Interpol Regional Hub for Asia-Pacific Crime Cooperation
South Korea is actively pursuing the establishment of an Interpol regional office in Seoul to enhance coordination against drug trafficking and other transnational crimes across the Asia-Pacific region. The Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) announced its plans to launch an Interpol drug response task force by 2027, which would function as a precursor to the permanent regional office slated for opening in 2029. The proposed office would serve as a central hub for member countries to share intelligence, plan and coordinate multinational operations, support Interpol notices, trace criminal proceeds, and train investigators. A Korean delegation, led by Kim Dong-kwon, director general of the KNPA’s International Cooperation Bureau, is presenting this proposal at Interpol’s Global Drugs Conference in Prague to garner support from member countries. The establishment of the regional office requires approval from Interpol’s Executive Committee and General Assembly.
