A ministry of Justice delegation attended a recent plenary meeting of the South East Asia Justice Network (SEAJust) held in the South Korean capital Seoul, where participants discussed various challenges – and shared criteria of excellence – related to international criminal cooperation.

The Cambodian delegation was led by Tan Heang Davan, head of the ministry’s General Department of International Affairs and Development.

According to the ministry, the three-day session was co-organised by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the South Korean Ministry of Justice. The April 26-28 meeting was attended by 95 representatives from 15 nations.

“During the session, specialists discussed a number of challenges related to the use of digital assets in transnational crime, as well as international cooperation, which is key to tackling the criminal use of digital assets, including crypto currency,” it said.

The attendees also shared the criteria of excellence related to international cooperation in the field of criminal affairs, especially mutual assistance in legal aid.

Heang Davan and the chairmen of the other member states’ delegations also took the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on South Korean justice minister Han Dong Hoon.

In addition, the Cambodian delegation found time to attend a bilateral meeting with their South Korean counterparts, who were led by Lee Ji Hyung, director of International Criminal Affairs.

The Southeast Asian Justice Network was established in 2020 with funding from the Japanese government. It serves as an informal forum for knowledge exchange and best practices on mutual legal assistance between criminal justice practitioners from Southeast Asia and other regions.