South Korea hosts international anti-piracy meeting

South Korea is hosting an international meeting to discuss piracy off the coast of Somalia. Delegates agree that fighting against the threat of piracy in Somali waters should be a joint international effort.

South Korea is hosting an international meeting to discuss piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Delegates from 34 countries and international maritime organizations are attending the two-day meeting in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

Discussions are focusing on the role of international and regional organizations in the repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships.

Shin-Gak-Soo, S. Korea Vice Foreign Minister, said, "The international community must sustain the momentum of joint action to bring an eventual resolution to the problem."

Meanwhile, a Japanese delegate said close cooperation was essential.

Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, said, "We have dispatched two P-3C maritime patrol aircraft which are in close cooperation with the government of Djibouti."