Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
Defense minister calls for global solidarity to address Pyongyang's nuclear threats
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back delivers opening remarks for Seoul Defense Dialogue 2025 at Lotte Hotel in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Bahk Eun-ji
Seoul Defense Dialogue participants discuss geopolitical challenges
Seoul’s defense chief called for stronger international cooperation to address a growing array of security threats, including Pyongyang’s advancing nuclear and missile programs, at a global forum Tuesday.
He made the remarks at the 14th Seoul Defense Dialogue, an annual security forum hosted by the Ministry of National Defense. The event has become a key barometer of geopolitical shifts in Northeast Asia, offering senior defense officials a rare venue for public and private discussions that serve as a vital backchannel for diplomacy.
This year’s edition, running through Wednesday under the theme of “Overcoming Geopolitical Challenges: Building Peace through Cooperation,” has drawn representatives from 68 countries and international organizations, including five defense ministers, eight vice ministers and the chairman of NATO’s military committee. With more than 1,000 participants, it is the largest gathering since the forum’s inception in 2012.
In his opening speech, Ahn said Pyongyang’s advancing nuclear and missile programs remain “a serious challenge to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.” He vowed that South Korea would maintain robust deterrence and readiness while continuing efforts to ease tensions and pursue denuclearization.
He added that Seoul would pursue “practical diplomacy based on national interest,” collaborating with partners in the Indo-Pacific and beyond to foster greater cooperation. Ahn also presented his vision of establishing “a trusted advanced military,” saying that innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), space and cybertechnology should be applied to defense. He added that the country’s defense industry would be developed as a pillar of economic growth.
A plenary session on easing geopolitical competition and restoring strategic stability takes place during Seoul Defense Dialogue 2025 at Lotte Hotel in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Restoring stability amid rivalry
The first plenary session, titled “Easing Geopolitical Competition and Restoring Strategic Stability,” featured Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anusic and NATO Military Committee Chairman Giuseppe Cavo Dragone.
Teodoro pointed to growing instability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, noting increased challenges to the rules-based international order. He called for dialogue built on trust, responsible competition and inclusive security that reflects the interests of many states. As the Philippines will be the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, Teodoro said the country will work with the U.N. and others to help safeguard the rules-based order.
Anusic highlighted Croatia’s efforts to modernize its forces and strengthen defense capabilities as a member of NATO and the EU. He also stressed the importance of cooperation with South Korea in the Indo-Pacific.
Cavo Dragone cited Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea’s involvement as examples of increasing geopolitical risks. He said NATO would strengthen its cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region, including South Korea, in order to combat hybrid threats and disinformation. He emphasized the need for closer information sharing, stronger interoperability and joint work on technologies such as AI, drones and air defense systems.
All three panelists voiced concern that North Korea’s weapons programs and its expanding military cooperation with Russia could threaten international security. They agreed that solidarity and joint action by the global community are essential to building trust and restoring stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Having been upgraded to a ministerial-level event for the past three years, the Seoul Defense Dialogue now brings together senior officials and experts to address not only geopolitical issues but also wider challenges such as supply chain resilience, the role of emerging technologies in defense and the future of arms control.