Global leaders in defense and security from 67 countries convened in Seoul on Wednesday and Thursday to address emerging global security threats and explore strategies for countering them through international alliances.
The Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), hosted by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the Republic of Korea (MND), are now in their 13th iteration since their inception in 2012. Defense ministers and security experts assembled at the event discussed how to enhance cooperation and promote peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
Han Duck-soo, Prime Minister of South Korea, delivered the keynote address at the dialogue, underscoring that “the world is facing cyber warfare, which is difficult to address with our current approach to response. Solidarity and cooperation within the international community are important in countering security threats.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that the escalating cyber warfare poses a significant threat to global security. Han specifically expressed concern about North Korea’s illegal nuclear and missile development, noting that the country is using cyberattacks to fund its illicit weapons programs, thereby endangering global security. Additionally, he highlighted that North Korea’s military partnership with Russia further exacerbates these security threats.
Defense leaders from South Korea, Canada, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) engaged in a panel dialogue to discuss the future of global security and peace.
Kim Yong-hyun, South Korea’s Minister of National Defense, emphasized the urgent need to protect against North Korea’s escalating illegal weapons threats. He also highlighted that North Korea’s alliance with Russia endangers not only South Korea but also the Indo-Pacific region and the global community. Kim stressed the necessity of developing capabilities strong enough to counter and overwhelm North Korea’s threats.
“The United Nations, comprising 193 nations, has the capacity to counter global threats posed by North Korea. If nations uphold shared values of freedom and collaborate, we can maintain world peace,” said Kim.
Bill Blair, Minister of National Defense of Canada, emphasized the importance of unity and partnership within NATO. He noted that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was clearly illegal and aimed at dividing NATO. He added, however, that this aggression has, in fact, strengthened and unified the alliance. Blair also affirmed that Canada will actively work with partner countries in alignment with its Indo-Pacific strategy, outlined in 2022.
Blair stated, “To protect people and uphold international order, nations must maintain strong partnerships and discuss shared values.” He added, “We need to address our responsibilities and strategies for strengthening alliances, not just in North America and Europe, but also across Asia.”
Rob Bauer, Chair of the Military Committee of NATO, stated that the war between Russia and Ukraine is having severe consequences for global security. He noted that Russia’s relationships with North Korea and Iran are driven by profit rather than shared values. According to Bauer, Iran and North Korea’s illegal support for Russia constitutes a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. He emphasized that NATO and its partner nations must collaborate and respond in unity to address these challenges.
“NATO is currently addressing key issues such as support for Ukraine, cybersecurity, misinformation, and artificial intelligence. Partner countries can benefit from each other by expanding practical cooperation and fostering unity,” said Bauer.
Meanwhile, the MND announced that on Wednesday, Kim Yong-hyun and Joseph Beti Assomo, Minister Delegate to the Presidency in charge of Defense of Cameroon, discussed defense cooperation between South Korea and Cameroon during a ministerial meeting. On the same day, Kim also met with Antti Hakkanen, Minister of Defense of Finland, to talk about the security situation and explore technical cooperation between South Korea and Finland.
Related article: NATO cyber chief urges focus on long-term security goals
Leuven, Belgium — The 1st REMIT Conference — Christian-Marc Lifländer, the Head of NATO Cyber & Hybrid Policy Section, reiterated the importance of prioritizing long-term security over short-term economic interests during an inaugural event on Thursday.
The statement was made at the REMIT conference, which is part of the Reignite Multilateralism via Technology project. This project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Program and is hosted at the University of Leuven, serving as the first venue for international discussions on the topic.
As a keynote speaker representing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which comprises 32 member states including the United States and Canada, along with 30 European countries, Lifländer addressed the audience, focusing on strategic competition under the subtitle “Adjusting to an Era of Unpeace.” Throughout his speech, he frequently emphasized words such as “value,” “resilience,” “openness,” and “connectedness,” along with highlighting the importance of “cooperation” and safeguarding “critical infrastructure.” READ MORE
