Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Senior defense around the world discuss North Korea's nuclear threats

Five international organizations and 33 countries attended for the 5th anniversary

The number of vice–ministers is 20…doubled from the last year

Beyond the Asia-Pacific region, a world-class security dialogue was developed

The MND “suppressed North Korean power by holding the event”

The ‘2016 Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD)’, which has extended beyond the Asia-Pacific region to the world, will be held at The Westin Chosun Hotel, Seoul, from September 7 to 9.

Regarding this SDD, which features 33 countries and 5 international organizations, the MND stated, “For the event which marks the 5th anniversary, delegates from the Visegrád Group nations, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Uganda, and Ethiopia, where relations with Korea have become closer due to summits and visits, are going to attend for the first time.”

The SDD began as a track 1.5 annual multilateral defense dialogue, where defense officials and civil security experts at the vice-ministerial level held discussions to establish military confidence and to engage in mutual cooperation between nations in the Asia-Pacific region; however, its size and the number of participating nations have been increasing annually. It is currently establishing itself as the international defense dialogue.

A total of 20 vice-ministers, almost twice the number present in the previous year, are expected to participate; there is also the possibility that more countries will participate since some delegates from China, India, and others have yet to reserve.

Under the theme ‘Complex Defense Crisis: Challenges and Solutions,’ the SDD consists of three main meetings and three special sessions; during the event, mutual talks will be arranged where participating countries can closely discuss and communicate their interests at various levels. Korea will hold high-level mutual talks with 23 nations; 13 of these talks will be vice-ministerial.

Uniquely to this meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun will share a wide range of views about the international cooperation methods that will be used to foster world peace and stability in real security situations, as related to North Korea's nuclear threats. Moreover, complicated security crises will be discussed by experts in the North Korean nuclear issue, and security experts, including U.S. Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy David Shear, Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Douglas Paal, and others will attend to address these issues.

Furthermore, Ahmet Üzümcü, the Secretary General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), is expected to send a message of peace to the Korean Peninsula through his keynote address.

Vice Defense Minister Hwang Inmoo, who is the hosting the event, said, “North Korean power will be suppressed solely by having high-level officials from over 30 countries discuss North Korea’s nuclear threats. There are various types of track 1.5 defense dialogues being held all over the world; however, the SDD is a representative meeting that is hosted by a defense authority, not a private organization, and it is attended by high-level defense officials from over 30 countries. We will ensure that the SDD grows beyond international defense dialogues that are held in the Asia-Pacific region, so that it can become a place for security cooperation. It will contribute to peace and stability in the world and in Northeast Asia, and will also bring peace to the Korean Peninsula.”

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >

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