Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
President addresses AI at UNSC debate, highlighting risks, promise
President Lee Jae Myung gives a briefing at United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday (local time), ahead of the U.N. Security Council open debate. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
Lee makes history as first South Korean president to lead UNSC meeting
NEW YORK — Speaking in an open debate at the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday (local time), President Lee Jae Myung warned that the world’s future will be shaped by the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Lee presided over the debate, becoming the first Korean president to chair a session of the council. He also pledged Korea would take a role in leading international efforts to ensure that AI serves as a tool for humanity’s sustainable future.
Lee said it was “deeply meaningful” to chair the UNSC session. Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, he said it is “especially significant to chair the first open debate on AI convened for all U.N. member states.”
During the session, the president explained that Korea had proposed the agenda to spur global efforts in addressing the rapidly evolving international security environment shaped by advances in AI. Seoul currently holds the council’s monthly rotating presidency as a nonpermanent member for the 2024-25 term, and it is customary in Security Council meetings for the presidency to set the agenda.
“Eighty years ago, the United Nations’ central concern at its founding was how the international community would manage the emerging threat of nuclear weapons,” Lee said. “Now it is time to explore new governance structures to address the new challenges and threats posed by AI.”
A Security Council open debate on “AI and International Peace and Security” is held with President Lee Jae Myung as chair at United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday (local time). Yonhap
In his statement at the UNSC meeting, Lee warned that AI could either help humanity overcome challenges such as low growth, climate change and inequality, or exacerbate divisions and insecurity if left unchecked.
Citing AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton’s warning that today’s AI is "like a very cute tiger cub,” Lee drew a vivid comparison: “This baby tiger could grow into a fierce beast that devours us, or, like the lovable character Derpy from 'Kpop Demon Hunters,' it could become a companion.”
Lee stressed UNSC’s heavy responsibility in this domain, adding that Korea is committed to playing a central role in shaping its global governance.
“An entirely different future will unfold before us depending on how wisely we choose to wield this tool called AI,” he said.
President Lee Jae Myung chairs a United Nations Security Council open debate at United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday (local time). Yonhap
He urged the international community to unite behind the principle of “responsible use of AI,” emphasizing that “the only viable and wise choice is to compete for national interest while cooperating for the benefit of humankind.”
Lee also highlighted Korea’s initiatives in the area, including co-sponsoring the U.N.’s first resolution on military AI with the Netherlands, hosting the Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit in Seoul, supporting U.N. efforts to combat disinformation, and leading a Human Rights Council resolution on technology and human rights.
He pointed to last year’s AI Seoul Summit, which adopted the Seoul Declaration outlining a vision of safety, innovation and inclusiveness, as well as Korea’s efforts as Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) chair to advance the APEC AI Initiative to ensure that AI innovation benefits humanity.
“The Security Council’s role and responsibility are ever more important,” Lee said, noting both the opportunities and risks of AI in the security domain, from preventing conflict and monitoring weapons of mass destruction to the dangers of disinformation, cyberattacks and an AI arms race.
“Before us stands a civilizational turning point,” he added. “In the face of this transformation, humanity must preserve the universal values we have long upheld. The U.N.’s proud history of finding peace and prosperity in times of crisis holds the answer. Let us not shrink from this new mission, but instead turn AI-driven change into a springboard for human progress.”
President Lee Jae Myung chairs a United Nations Security Council open debate at U.N. headquarters in New York, Wednesday (local time). Yonhap
Lee concluded by emphasizing Korea’s pursuit of an “AI basic society” and “AI for all,” where the benefits of technological progress are shared universally.
Korea has served as a non-permanent UNSC member three times since joining the U.N. in 1991. While former President Park Geun-hye attended a Security Council meeting in 2014, this is the first time a Korean leader has presided over one.