Security Talks to Be Held Virtually Starting Tomorrow Due to COVID-19 Situation

2019 Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The '2020 Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD)' discussing security issues will be held virtually this year due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 31st, the Ministry of National Defense announced that the Seoul Defense Dialogue, scheduled for next month from the 1st to the 3rd, will be conducted in a non-face-to-face (virtual) format. Marking its 9th year, the Seoul Defense Dialogue is a defense vice minister-level multilateral security consultation body launched by the Ministry of National Defense in 2012 to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Domestic speakers will attend the seminar held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, while adhering to the government's social distancing guidelines, and overseas speakers will participate virtually.

The Ministry of National Defense initially planned to invite military attach?s and diplomats stationed in Korea to the seminar site, but considering the domestic resurgence of COVID-19, the seminar will proceed without separate invitees.

The Seoul Defense Dialogue will be held under the theme "New Security Challenges: Overcoming through Solidarity and Cooperation." At the seminar on the 1st titled "World Order and International Cooperation in the Era of COVID-19," participants will discuss prospects for changes in the international security environment and explore ways to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among countries, the Ministry explained. Attendees include John Mearsheimer, Chair Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, Kishore Mahbubani, Professor at the National University of Singapore, and Baek Hak-soon, President of the Sejong Institute.

On the 2nd, under the theme "Non-traditional Security Threats: Implications for Defense," discussions will focus on the impact of non-traditional threats such as infectious diseases, natural disasters, and cyber threats on defense and ways to enhance military response capabilities.

On the final day of the Seoul Defense Dialogue, the 3rd, a discussion titled "Korean Peninsula Peace Process: Achievements, Prospects, and Challenges" will be held to evaluate the progress of the peace process on the Korean Peninsula in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. Participants include former Ambassador to Russia Wi Sung-lak, former First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Lee Sang-chul, and former Commander of United States Forces Korea Vincent Brooks.

The Seoul Defense Dialogue will be broadcast live on the Ministry of National Defense's YouTube channel, with simultaneous interpretation provided in English and Korean.

A Ministry of National Defense official said, "Although we cannot directly invite defense officials from each country to the Seoul Defense Dialogue, it will be an opportunity to confirm the international community's solidarity and cooperation to overcome COVID-19," adding, "We expect it to serve as a chance to form unwavering international support for the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.