In 2020, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) contributed more than US$545,000 to mine action through the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action (VTF) and ITF Enhancing Human Security.

South Korea is not party to the Mine Ban Treaty nor the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Contributions by recipient: 2020[1]

* South Korea’s contribution to ITF was not disaggregated by countries, but went to humanitarian mine action activities in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Palestine, and Serbia.

In 2021, South Korea committed just under $10 million for mine clearance and victim assistance activities in Cambodia for the period 2021–2025.[2]

Mine action assistance approach

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has determined four pillars for its international assistance, known as “4Ps”—people, peace, prosperity, and planet.

At the Mine Ban Treaty Eighteenth Meeting of States Parties, South Korea provided an update on its support to mine action efforts since 1993, with more than $40 million provided to activities in more than 25 countries, including through UNMAS, IFT, or bilaterally.[3]

Five-year support to mine action

Since 2016, South Korea’s contribution totaled more than $7 million but has varied significantly, ranging from an annual low of $300,000 in 2017, to a high of $2.5 million in 2016. In comparison, in the previous five-year period from 2011–2015, South Korea provided $1.2 million.

Summary of contributions: 2016–2020[4]

Note: N/A=not applicable.