Senior defense officials and security advisers from home and abroad gathered in Seoul Thursday for a regional security forum aimed at discussing ways to curb weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and handle North Korea's nuclear threat, the defense ministry said.
The inaugural Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) brought vice minister-level and other senior defense officials from 15 Asia-Pacific countries, the European Union and two international organizations, the ministry said.
The three-day forum runs through Friday at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul.
"North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles and military provocations are hampering peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the Asia-Pacific region," South Korean defense minister Kim Kwan-jin said in an address. "Global cooperation and understanding is needed to handle these threats and seek co-prosperity."
Kim said the Asia-Pacific region has become a "strategic point" as the U.S. increasingly puts more of its defense focus on the area amid China's rise.
He called for concerted efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.
"There are several causes of conflicts in this region, including arms races, territorial conflicts and historical problems," Kim said. "I hope defense officials and security professionals will have in-depth discussions during the SDD to develop relationships."
This year's forum consists of three sessions -- common security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, cooperation against WMDs and countermeasures against cyber threats, and efficient defense operations.
Several panels discussed issues related to North Korea, its nuclear program and potential changes under the new leader Kim Jong-un.
James Przystup, a U.S. senior fellow at the National Defense University, said dealing with challenges presented by the nuclear-armed communist state is one of the biggest security threats in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Denuclearization will be a protracted process. In the meantime, the international community will be faced with the continuing threat of WMD proliferation from Pyongyang," Przystup said during a panel debate.
The American scholar called for enhanced international cooperation in sanctions enforcement, while opening the door for ways to coordinate with South Korea when it picks a new president in next month's election.
On the contrary, Wang Yizhou, a Chinese professor at Peking University, showed hope for change in North Korea through reform measures, citing slogans for people's livelihood, messages on special economic zones and closer relations with China.
"North Korea can be the next Cuba promoting new economic policy, though there are structural disputes with the U.S.," Wang said. "South Korea may have a new president who can forge better relations between South and North Korea after the election."
The Philippines, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand and Vietnam sent vice or assistant defense ministers. Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, the deputy commander of U.S. forces Korea, is attending the meeting as the U.S. representative. (Yonhap)