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Korean, Japanese customs agency chiefs meet to discuss ways to facilitate trade

Published: 24 Apr. 2026, 13:30

Korea Customs Service Commissioner Lee Myeong-ku, left, and his Japanese counterpart, Mitsuhiro Teraoka, pose for a photo during their bilateral meeting in Seoul on April 23. [KOREA CUSTOMS SERVICE]

The chiefs of Korea's and Japan's customs agencies held a meeting in Seoul this week and discussed ways to facilitate trade between the two nations amid mounting global trade uncertainties, the Korean customs agency said on Friday.

The meeting between Korea Customs Service (KCS) Commissioner Lee Myeong-ku and his Japanese counterpart, Mitsuhiro Teraoka, on Thursday is the first of its kind since the inauguration of new governments in their respective countries, according to the KCS.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to work together to swiftly implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a FTA signed between 15 Asia-Pacific nations, including Korea, Japan, China and Australia.

To achieve that goal, Korea and Japan will discuss developing systems that allow the electronic exchange of origin certifications. Lee and Mitsuhiro also agreed to hold regular meetings on measures to block the inflow of illegal or harmful goods between the two countries amid a surge in cross-border e-commerce shipments.

Additionally, the senior officials touched on ways to strengthen economic security and enhance exchanges between their regional customs agencies, the KCS said.