South Korea reelected to WCO policy, finance committees simultaneously

South Korea has secured simultaneous reelection to the Policy Commission and Finance Committee of the World Customs Organization, extending its influence over international customs norms and customs administration.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance said Monday that South Korea was reappointed to both bodies at the WCO's annual council session, held June 25–27 in Brussels, Belgium. The country will retain membership on both committees for two years, from July through June 2028.

The Policy Commission is the WCO's core decision-making body, responsible for strategic planning, policy development, financial oversight and auditing, and comprises 25 member countries. The Finance Committee, made up of 19 countries, handles budgets, procurement, expenditure and auditing.

South Korea has served on the Policy Commission since 2014 and on the Finance Committee since 2012. The reelection secures the country's continued participation in discussions on international customs administration and trade facilitation norms.

The WCO is an intergovernmental organization that administers the Harmonized System convention — the international standard for classifying traded goods — as well as the SAFE Framework of Standards for securing and facilitating global supply chains. It currently has 187 member countries; South Korea joined in 1968.