Law enforcement officials from abroad on Nov. 11, 2025, pose for a group photo at the second international conference for "Breaking Chains" at the headquarters of the Korean National Police Agency in Seoul's Seodaemun-gu District. (Yonhap News)

By Kang Gahui

The Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) on June 9 announced its joint hosting from June 9-12 of the third edition of the global anti-transnational crime conference "Breaking Chains" with Interpol in Seoul.

A high number of figures from five global organizations -- Interpol; ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Chiefs of Police Conference aka ASEANAPOL; Police Community of the Americas aka Ameripol; International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime -- will attend as well as law enforcement officials from 19 countries including the U.S., China, Japan and Cambodia.

Participating states will discuss joint responses to fight cross-border crimes such as voice phishing, human trafficking and narcotics and the apprehension of fugitives as well as share investigative information.

Previously, the KNPA conducted two joint international operations that resulted in the arrest of 66 suspects in transnational crimes. For this third round, the agency will expand the scope of global cooperation from scams to narcotics to cut off the funding and operational bases of criminal organizations at the source.

In collaboration with Interpol's fugitive tracking project, the KNPA will also share and analyze data on criminal groups and quickly apprehend fugitives abroad.

Building on the latest meeting, the agency will further boost its global cooperation by pursuing the launch of an Interpol drug response center in Seoul and the city's hosting of Interpol's general assembly in 2029.

A KNPA source said, "As a hub for global law enforcement, Korea will focus its efforts on fighting transnational crime and leading global cooperation."

kgh89@korea.kr