Minister pushes two-track defense diplomacy balancing engagement and deterrence

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back attends the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday. Courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to pursuing both deterrence and dialogue in managing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation, including with China and other neighboring countries.

Speaking at the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, Ahn warned that North Korea’s expanding nuclear and missile programs — along with its modernization of conventional forces — pose a grave threat to peace and stability in the region.

“The Ministry of National Defense will maintain a strong deterrence posture through close Korea-U.S. combined defense readiness, while consistently pursuing a two-track approach of easing military tensions and building trust,” he said.

He added that lasting peace on the peninsula “must be built together by both Koreas, neighboring countries and the international community.”

Ahn’s remarks, the defense ministry said, reflect Seoul’s broader strategy of balancing deterrence and dialogue — a dual-track approach that has become the foundation of its regional diplomacy. The policy emphasizes maintaining a credible defense posture through its alliance while keeping channels for peace and engagement open.

Ahn also pledged to strengthen Seoul’s contribution to the South Korea-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership proposed by President Lee Jae Myung, saying Seoul would expand cooperation with ASEAN members in defense technology, logistics and the defense industry to enhance regional security and innovation.

Last month, Lee pledged to elevate South Korea’s relationship with ASEAN, focusing on achieving $300 billion in trade and strengthening joint efforts to combat transnational cybercrime.

During the meeting, Ahn held a series of bilateral talks with his counterparts from China, Japan, the U.S., Australia, Thailand and Malaysia.

In his meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, Ahn raised South Korea’s concerns over China’s installation of large maritime structures in the West Sea, emphasizing the importance of “mutual respect and closer communication” in maritime activities.

The two ministers also discussed ways to strengthen stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The defense chief further discussed defense and defense-industry cooperation with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles, Thai Defense Minister Natthapon Nakpanich and Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Topics included high-level exchanges, joint exercises and the diversification of naval shipbuilding and maintenance projects.

Ahn also met U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the meeting, marking their first talks since a phone conversation in July.

Hegseth congratulated Ahn on the successful South Korea-U.S. summit held during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, last week, and expressed his hope to meet again in Seoul the following week for the annual Security Consultative Meeting.

Ahn thanked him for his kind words and said that both sides would work closely together to turn the results of the summit into tangible military cooperation.

Ahn introduced Lee’s “END” initiative — short for Engagement, Normalization and Denuclearization — as South Korea’s policy framework for dialogue with Pyongyang, calling for international support for Seoul’s denuclearization and peace efforts.

Reiterating that North Korea’s weapons buildup remains “a grave challenge to the international nonproliferation regime,” he urged neighboring powers to play a constructive role in ensuring regional stability.