Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back made opening remark.

The advancement of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles poses threats to the world.

Rebuilding a long-term, sustainable security structure

Applying technological innovation to strengthening defense capability

On September 9, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back delivered the opening remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), held at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul. Minister Ahn emphasized, “The Republic of Korea will pursue de-escalation of military tensions and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, based on robust deterrence and a thorough readiness posture.”

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said, “Our military will achieve peace through strong force and build sustainable peace through genuine dialogue, while providing military support for the government’s peace initiatives.” Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated that North Korea’s continued advancement of nuclear and missile capabilities poses grave threats not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to the global nonproliferation regime. He emphasized that the defense ministry will strengthen strategic deterrence as well as defense and response capabilities. Minister Ahn added, “We will take substantial measures with patience to break the vicious cycle of crisis and explore opportunities for peace.”

In his opening remarks at the 2025 Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), which commenced at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, on September 9, Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated, “The Republic of Korea will consistently implement a two-track approach: de-escalating military tensions and building confidence, grounded in robust deterrence and a solid readiness posture.”

The Seoul Defense Dialogue is a high-level multilateral security forum launched in 2012. The Seoul Defense Dialogue was upgraded to a ministerial-level dialogue in 2023. This year’s meeting marks the first such ministerial gathering since the inauguration of the new government based on popular sovereignty. Minister Ahn said, “It bears great significance that I am the first defense minister of the government of popular sovereignty and the first civilian defense minister in 64 years to hold this Seoul Defense Dialogue.”

Minister Ahn assessed, “The world faces new security challenges, including deepening geopolitical rivalries, the reorganization of the international order, multilayered regional conflicts, escalating arms races, and the increasing integration of AI, space, and cyber technologies into military sectors. These challenges go beyond traditional military threats, becoming more complex and unpredictable as they intertwine with non-conventional risks such as global supply chain disruptions, climate change, and large-scale disasters.”

He said, “In the midst of these developments, what we need is not a short-term response or stopgap measure, but the rebuilding of a long-term, sustainable security structure founded on rules and mutual trust.” He also explained the theme of this year’s Seoul Defense Dialogue, “Overcoming Geopolitical Challenges: Establishing Peace through Cooperation.”

Minister Ahn presented his defense vision as building an “advanced, strong military trusted by the people.” He said his defense vision is to integrate advanced defense science and technology with the trust of the people. He added, “The Defense Ministry will apply technological innovations in emerging security domains such as AI, space, and cyber to strengthen defense capabilities, while leading the establishment of international norms in these areas to build a military that is trusted by the people.”

In particular, Minister Ahn stated that the Defense Ministry is committed to fulfilling its mission of ensuring that military deterrence serves as the foundation for creating diplomatic opportunities. This approach aims to effectively counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats while expanding political and diplomatic avenues to open the door to peace.

Lastly, Minister Ahn said, “The Defense Ministry will make consistent and patient efforts to ensure that the wisdom and insights shared by participants here contribute to building a new era of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. We aim for this experience to extend to the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. I look forward to the 14th Seoul Defense Dialogue becoming the starting point of this important journey, and I encourage everyone to work together toward these goals.”

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >

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