Federal Council approves information protection agreement with South Korea
Bern, 01.07.2020 - In its meeting on 1 July 2020, the Federal Council approved an agreement with South Korea on the mutual protection of classified information. This agreement will facilitate the work Swiss observers have been carrying out for many years at the inner-Korean border as part of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.
With this agreement, Switzerland and South Korea officially recognise each other’s security arrangements as being equivalent. This makes it possible for both countries to share or give access to classified information according to international standards, and paves the way for closer cooperation in security and armament matters.
In addition, the agreement will improve the Swiss delegation’s ability to carry out its work within the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission at the Korean Demarcation Line. In particular, it will make it easier for members of the Swiss military to accompany and monitor security exercises on the South Korean side of the border.
Swiss companies also benefit
The agreement will also allow Swiss companies to bid for sensitive contracts tendered by South Korea. It will therefore benefit Switzerland as a business location as well.
Switzerland has agreements in place with many different states and organisations to regulate the sharing and mutual protection of classified information.
Address for enquiries
Carolina Bohren
DDPS spokesperson
+41 58 467 00 24
Publisher
The Federal Council
https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html
General Secretariat DDPS
https://www.vbs.admin.ch/
Defence
http://www.vtg.admin.ch
