Lee Jong-seop: "North Korean Nuclear Threat Endangers Not Only the Korean Peninsula but the Entire World"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop emphasized that North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles directly threaten global security.

At the opening address of the '2022 Seoul Security Dialogue' hosted by the Ministry of National Defense on the 7th at Lotte Hotel Seoul in Sogong-dong, Seoul, Minister Lee explained, "Since the launch of the Seoul Security Dialogue in 2012, the Ministry of National Defense has selected North Korea's denuclearization as a major agenda, but North Korea is advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities, now directly threatening security not only on the Korean Peninsula but worldwide."

He continued, "If North Korea continues on the path of nuclear and missile development, the costs to be paid will inevitably be enormous. I hope the international community will continue to unite its efforts so that North Korea recognizes this."

He then introduced countermeasures such as enhancing the U.S. extended deterrence capability and the Korean-style 3-axis system, explaining, "The government urges North Korea to change by proposing a 'bold initiative' that supports a breakthrough improvement in the economy and people's livelihoods if North Korea stops nuclear development and transitions to practical denuclearization."

Minister Lee diagnosed that security threats are increasing in various directions, not only from North Korea. He said, "Through the ongoing war in Ukraine on the opposite side of the Korean Peninsula, we are witnessing a new form of warfare integrated with advanced science and technology, and we are feeling the aftermath of the war such as energy shortages, food supply issues, and rising international prices."

He also stated, "Emerging non-traditional security threats such as new infectious diseases, climate change, cyber, and space threaten human life," emphasizing, "These threats cannot be resolved by the efforts of a single country alone. I ask for your valuable insights and wisdom at this Seoul Security Dialogue."

The Seoul Security Dialogue is a high-level multilateral security dialogue in the defense sector launched in 2012 to contribute to peace on the Korean Peninsula and enhance security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Minister Lee played a role in planning the first Seoul Security Dialogue and preparing the first meeting 10 years ago. This meeting, held face-to-face for the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic, is attended by defense officials from 54 countries and three international organizations including the United Nations, the European Union (EU), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as domestic and international civilian security experts to discuss global security issues.

A total of 16 defense officials from various countries, including Deputy Minister of Defense Shin Beom-cheol, and deputy-level officials from Japan, Singapore, NATO, Estonia, Canada, Ghana, and Uganda, will participate as panelists in each session. Deputy Minister Shin is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Masami Oka, Japan’s Defense Counselor. This year’s main theme is 'Responding to Complex Security Threats through International Solidarity,' seeking joint responses to today’s security environment characterized by the coexistence of war threats and transnational, multi-domain challenges.

The Ministry of National Defense plans to enhance cooperation in cyber and space sectors through the Cyber Working Group, resumed after three years, and the newly established Space Security Working Group, leading international discussions on new security domains.

In the first session of the plenary meeting, under the theme 'Strategic International Cooperation and Approaches for the Complete Denuclearization of North Korea,' chaired by Choi Kang, President of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, Deputy Minister Shin, Defense Counselor Masami Oka, and officials and experts from the U.S., NATO, and EU will participate in the discussion.

In the second session of the plenary meeting, in line with the government’s Indo-Pacific strategic initiative, the Seoul Security Dialogue will hold its first-ever 'Indo-Pacific Security Session.' This session will identify common security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and listen to international recommendations on expanding Korea’s regional role.

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