InterviewTop customs official backs homegrown clearance system for Korea’s global AI leadership drive

Korea Customs Service (KCS) Commissioner Lee Myeong-ku speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at Seoul Regional Customs in Seoul's Gangnam District, Feb. 5. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Korea Customs Service (KCS) Commissioner Lee Myeong-ku has identified the homegrown electronic clearance system, UNI-PASS, as central to reinforcing the role of KCS in Korea’s drive to become a top-three global artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse.

The system has been at the heart of Korea’s global expansion and digital transformation in customs administration. Originated in 1974 to support the computerized processing of trade statistics and related data, it has since evolved into a sophisticated tool used in 16 countries across Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa.

“We want to upgrade UNI-PASS with AI as part of a sweeping overhaul to bolster operational capacity,” the top customs official said in an exclusive interview with The Korea Times, Feb. 5.

The upgrade focuses on applying AI across all areas of KCS operations and enhancing the 11 AI models currently in use within UNI-PASS, a fully digitalized platform that processes all documentation, inspection and approval of goods crossing the border without paper or in-person visits.

The 11 models are entirely AI-based, covering screening of regular and high-risk cargo, travelers, mail and overseas e-commerce packages, as well as information analysis.

They enhance operations through smarter use of X-ray scanners, surveillance cameras, big data, early warning systems and other monitoring technologies.

These models will be upgraded under the Information Strategy Plan (ISP), which aims to determine optimal AI solutions for customs policies by considering how they connect with related components.

The ISP is the centerpiece of the customs agency’s goal to make 2026 “the watershed year for a major AI transformation,” in line with President Lee Jae Myung’s vision of establishing Korea as one of the world’s top three AI leaders alongside the United States and China.

“We have been receiving increasing requests from partner countries to expand cooperation in AI, and in turn we have been working on customized models to meet their specific needs,” the commissioner said.

Lee was referring to the 16 countries where UNI-PASS has been exported since 2008.

These exports leverage the flexible design of UNI-PASS to address each country’s objectives while faithfully complying with World Customs Organization (WCO) and United Nations standards.

He assessed that KCS is “taking the lead in setting global standards” for AI-driven customs administration, citing positive feedback from last year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) gatherings held in conjunction with Korea’s hosting of the APEC summit.

He expressed hope that Korea will “have more to showcase” next year when it hosts the WCO-governed Technology Conference & Exhibition.

Korea Customs Service (KCS) Commissioner Lee Myeong-ku speaks with foreign dignitaries during a reception marking the 44th International Customs Day at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam hotel, Jan. 23. Courtesy of KCS

US tariff policy, anti-drug trafficking are top priorities

With regard to AI transformation, the commissioner emphasized that the shift is essential for responding to growing risks and challenges in the customs environment, including disruptions to the U.S.-led global trade order, cross-border drug trafficking and the rise of decentralized digital currencies.

Concerning U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, Lee emphasized that “it was my first priority” since taking office on July 14, when the two sides had yet to strike a deal.

He also highlighted the launch of a special task force, saying, “We’re fully committed to providing up-to-date tracking information, relaying it to Korean exporters and safeguarding them from unpredictability.”

The task force, which he chairs, especially focuses on rules of origin, which can be exploited by other countries, and on ensuring the credibility of Korean brands to maintain trusted partnerships with the U.S.

This year, KCS is closely monitoring the possibility of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Trump’s tariffs, imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, are unconstitutional.

“We want to be ready with preemptive measures to ensure that Korean companies can quickly receive refunds for any tariffs paid under such a ruling and minimize their losses,” Lee said.

He added, “We will work closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to swiftly track any follow-up policy changes and operational developments.”

Korea Customs Service (KCS) Commissioner Lee Myeong-ku, right, speaks with a traveler during an anti-drug trafficking campaign at Incheon International Airport, Dec. 22, 2025. Yonhap

Lee also chairs a special task force against drug trafficking, with the challenging goal of restoring Korea’s reputation as a “drug-free country.”

In its World Drug Report 2025, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime noted that Korea appears to be one of the new Asian markets targeted by Latin American drug cartels.

In 2025, Korea recorded 1,256 drug seizures totaling 3,318 kilograms, representing increases of 46 percent and 321 percent, respectively, as smuggling methods became bolder, more covert and more sophisticated.

Under these circumstances, the commissioner presides over a weekly task force meeting to review trends in drug seizures and the progress of comprehensive anti-drug measures.

“We believe that enforcing drug control at the border is the most effective approach,” he said, noting that about 80 percent of all drug seizures in Korea occur at customs checkpoints.

Lee also stressed the importance of international cooperation.

“After all, drugs originate from other countries, so it’s crucial to prevent them from leaving at the source,” he said, adding that he plans to raise the issue with the corresponding countries through bilateral meetings.

As for digital currencies emerging as cross-border payment methods, Lee said KCS is committed to “turning the changes brought by virtual assets into export opportunities, while strictly blocking their criminal misuse at the border.”

Over the past five years, KCS has uncovered remittance-related crimes totaling around 13 trillion won ($8.93 billion), 84 percent of which involved virtual assets.

“Virtual assets are decentralized and anonymous, making them difficult for financial and judicial authorities to monitor, which facilitates illegal remittances,” the commissioner said. “Nevertheless, we will root them out by crippling the international financial networks behind transnational crimes.”

He added that the most important step in tackling these crimes is preventing the illicit outflow of proceeds taken from domestic victims.

The commissioner commented on the customs agency’s efforts to further promote the global popularity of K-culture by developing Harmonized System (HS) codes for Korean food products.

HS codes are a globally used numbering system for classifying traded products. When it comes to food, they tend to be heavily oriented toward Western countries.

Popular items like kimchi and instant noodles still lack their own classifications, as do recently trending foods such as gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), tteokbokki (spicy stewed rice cakes) and dumplings.

“We are consulting with the Ministry of Finance and Economy on coordinating HS codes, and plan to do the same with the WCO to unlock the export potential of these specialties,” he said.