South Korean government hosts Seoul Defense Dialogue 2023

South Korea will host an annual international security forum this week to discuss efforts to promote peace and cooperation in the region and the world, the South Korean Defense Ministry announced on October 16.

The Seoul Defense Dialogue 2023 takes place against the backdrop of global security uncertainty. About 800 senior security officials and experts from 56 countries, including ministerial-level officials from Australia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Brunei and Fiji, are expected to attend the event.

With the theme “Cooperation and Solidarity for Freedom, Peace and Prosperity,” the Seoul Defense Dialogue 2023 will last for three days, starting from October 17 in Seoul, South Korea, including three main plenary sessions to discuss the international community’s response to the current escalating risks on the Korean Peninsula; efforts for a free, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region; and regional and global cooperation methods in the new security environment.

In addition, four special sessions will be held to discuss ways to strengthen maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, the outlook for the global defense industry, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in combat, and the signing of the armistice agreement in the 1950-1953 Korean War on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of this event this year.

The Seoul Defense Dialogue was first held in 2012 to discuss promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula and enhancing regional security cooperation.