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Has your State/National Society/Institution incorporated the commitments contained in this resolution into the relevant strategic or operational plans?
YesThe commitments are incorporated into:
Strategy
Policy
Operational planAt the International, Regional, National level
Explanation:
The Republic of Korea has engaged in a great deal of efforts to implement and raise awareness of IHL through international cooperation and establishing/amending related domestic policies. The ROK has worked on integrating IHL principles into its foreign and military policies. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) consistently conducts legal reviews on IHL issues to ensure consistency with IHL on issues in international affairs and provides humanitarian support related to IHL. To maintain interest in IHL, the ROK has actively participated in international discussions on IHL-related issues, such as lethal autonomous weapons. Additionally, the ROK has commissioned research projects on IHL to accumulate knowledge in this field and to develop better policies on IHL.
To raise awareness of IHL domestically, the ROK has continued education and awareness programs for the general public and soldiers. The Ministry of National Defense continued educational programs on the Law of Armed Conflict including IHL. In 2023, the number of soldiers who had received such training reached 180,000. Furthermore, MOFA organized various lectures and meetings for the general public related to IHL dissemination such as the International Law Town Hall Meeting for university students in November 2023 and May 2024.
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Has your State/National Society/Institution been working with other partners to implement the commitments contained in this resolution?
YesPartner with:
Government and/or public authorities
ICRC/IFRC
AcademiaExamples of cooperation:
The Republic of Korea collaborates with various partners to implement the commitments in this resolution. Key partners include the ICRC, the IFRC, the Korean Red Cross and academia.
Recognizing the importance of national committees in implementing, developing and spreading knowledge of IHL, the ROK MOFA engages with relevant Ministries and agencies, the Korean Red Cross and IHL scholars through an annual National Committee for International Humanitarian Law which has been held from 2002 to 2024 (not including 2009, 2011, and 2020). This Committee facilitates the sharing of experiences related to IHL activities and encourages the implementation of IHL at both the national and international levels. In 2024, the committee focused on ways to support the dissemination and implementation of IHL nationally and reviewed IHL-related resolutions for the 34th International Conference. In particular, the ICRC made a presentation on the digital emblem in the meeting of this year for the first time.
Additionally, to foster interest in IHL among relevant stakeholders, the ROK MOFA sponsored the “North-East, South-East Asia, and the Pacific Regional Conference on IHL” in Seoul in 2022 and 2023, hosted by the ICRC and the Korean Red Cross. The 2023 conference brought together representatives from 15 States in the regions to review the current state of IHL and explore ways to enhance respect for and implementation of the law. Furthermore, the ROK participated in the 2024 Southeast Northeast Asia and the Pacific Advanced Session on IHL held in Mongolia, co-hosted by the ICRC and Mongolian Red Cross, and had intensive IHL studies and discussions with representatives from nine different States. Through ongoing dialogues with stakeholders, the ROK has encouraged them to ensure effective IHL implementation.
In addition, to nurture IHL specialists the ROK has sponsored the IHL Moot Court Competitions held in Seoul, organized by the ICRC from 2011 to 2024 (with the exception of 2021) to provide students with opportunities to explore different areas of IHL, as well as strengthen their research, analytical and advocacy skills in a formal setting.
Moreover, the ROK has conducted studies and research regarding current IHL issues and challenges with professors and scholars specialized in IHL. Furthermore, the ROK has sponsored the annual IHL conferences of the Korean Red Cross which have dealt with a range of topics relevant to IHL since 2005 to enhance cooperation between the IHL scholars and the government officials concerned for the development of IHL and the enhancing of respect of IHL.
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Have you encountered any challenges in implementing the commitments contained in this resolution?
No -
Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the work and direction of your State/National Society/Institution?
YesType of Impact:
Partnerships with other humanitarian actors have been created or enhancedDetails about the impact:
Through activities mentioned above
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Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the communities that your State/National Society/Institution serves?
No
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