Korea, South

Last Updated: 07 October 2013

Support for Mine Action

In 2012, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) contributed US$220,000 in mine action funding through the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action (VTF) and ITF (International Trust Fund) Enhancing Human Security. South Korea’s contributions to the VTF went towards support to Afghanistan and Lebanon. Its contributions through the ITF went to Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and the Occupied Territory of Palestine (OPT), as well as to the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for regional mine action coordination in Central Asia.

In 2012, demining was conducted by the South Korean army in five unconfirmed minefields in the civilian control zone and Seoul. South Korea reported a budget of $1,185,983 in 2012 while removing 78 antipersonnel mines over 98,600m².[1] South Korea reported a budget of $1,818,181 in 2011.[2]

Contributions by recipient: 2012[3]

Recipient

Sector

Amount ($)

Azerbaijan, BiH, OPT, Central Asia

Victim assistance, risk education

120,000

Afghanistan

Clearance

50,000

Lebanon

Clearance

50,000

Total

 

220,000

South Korea’s 2012 contribution was a decrease of $70,000 on its support for mine action from 2011, largely as a result of discontinuing its contribution to Libya through the VTF. Since 2009, South Korea has contributed $960,000 to mine action.

Summary of contributions: 2009–2012[4]

Year

Amount ($)

2012

220,000

2011

290,000

2010

260,000

2009

190,000

Total

960,000

 



[3] Eugen Secareanu, Resource Mobilisation Unit, United Nations Mine Action Service, 3 May 2013; and ITF Enhancing Human Security, “Annual Report 2012,” Slovenia, 2013, p. 36.

[4] See Landmine Monitor reports 2009–2011; and ICBL-CMC, “Country Profile: Korea, South: Support for Mine Action,” 10 September 2012.