24 April 2026, Seoul - Seoul PE participated in the visit of the ASEAN Committee in Seoul (ACS) to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) Headquarters on 24 April 2026.  The visit included viewing of the state-of-the-art Traffic and CCTV Command Centre and a brief talk about the 112 - Emergency Dispatching & Operation Command Center.

Following the tour, a ceremony to appoint the SMPA International Cooperation Committee Advisors (ICAC) advisors was held.  SMPA Commissioner Park Jeong-bo appointed Ambassador Tanee Sangrat of the Royal Thai Embassy, concurrent ACS Chair, as an ICAC honorary advisor and Dr. Min Byoung-chul, founder of the Sunfull Foundation, was also appointed as one of the advisors.

During the ceremony, Commissioner Park welcomed the ACS delegation and stated that he looks forward to the ASEAN Embassies in Seoul continuing to engage with Seoul Police for information-sharing and mutual cooperation on public safety.  He expressed hope that the new ICAC advisors would act as global partners of SMPA in building inclusive safety policies for all foreign residents in Seoul.

Ambassador Tanee Sangrat expressed gratitude to Commissioner Park and the SMPA officials and stated that the meeting was a good opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the ACS and the SMPA, especially in protecting ASEAN nationals in the city, supporting embassy events, and improving community relations. He acknowledged SMPA’s role in safeguarding ASEAN communities and multicultural families in Seoul and pledged close collaboration between ACS and SMPA to build greater awareness and trust. 

SMPA Sr. Superintendent Jang Young-chul and Chief of the Crime Prevention and Response Division, provided a brief overview of the crime prevention and protection measures for foreign nationals in Seoul and updated statistics on the number of ASEAN nationals in the city.  SMPA considers the promotion of the safety and well-being of ASEAN nationals as one of their important goals.   

The meeting also introduced the International Capital Police Council (ICPC) 2026 Meeting which will be held from 23-25 June 2026 in Seoul.  The ICPC will bring Police Commissioners from the capitals of 5 countries, namely the Philippines, China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Uzbekistan to Seoul.  

During the lunch meeting hosted by Commissioner Park, the ASEAN ambassadors and officials expressed appreciation to the SMPA officials for sharing information regarding their services.  Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Mendoza shared that the Philippine Embassy has worked closely with the SMPA SMPA Liaison Officer and that the latter has been responsive to issues and concerns facing Overseas Filipinos in Seoul. 

The visit provided the ASEAN diplomats with an avenue, through the SMPA ICAC, for sustained consultations and policy inputs; information-sharing on crime trends affecting ASEAN nationals in Seoul; and a better understanding of operational constraints and community needs. - END