What did Ahn Gyu-back say about North Korea-US dialogue at the Seoul Defense Dialogue?

Ahn said he strongly hopes dialogue between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un will bear fruit despite challenges. He said the South Korean military will support the effort and Seoul will keep acting in line with Lee Jae Myung’s pacemaker role.

What was the scale and theme of this year’s Seoul Defense Dialogue?

The forum runs from Monday through Wednesday under the theme Toward a new coexistence in the age of turbulence. It is expected to bring together about 1,000 personnel from 67 nations, including defense chiefs from the Czech Republic, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Uganda.

Defense chief says 'strongly' hopes for resumption of N. Korea-US dialogue

Q: Why did Ahn Gyu-back say South Korea can help create room for talks with Pyongyang?

He said Seoul will continue sustained, low-intensity efforts and cited the removal of fixed loudspeakers along the inter-Korean border last year. He added that these steps are possible only when backed by military power and readiness.

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Summary

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Tuesday at the Seoul Defense Dialogue that he strongly hopes North Korea and the United States will resume dialogue. He said the South Korean military will support that effort with powerful might and back President Lee Jae Myung’s pacemaker role. Ahn said Seoul will keep making room for talks with Pyongyang through sustained, low-intensity efforts, including the removal of fixed loudspeakers along the inter-Korean border last year. He also said deterrence and dialogue should go together.

Key Facts

Ahn said South Korea will support the resumption of North Korea-US dialogue with powerful might.
He linked Seoul’s role to President Lee Jae Myung’s description of South Korea as a pacemaker in promoting talks between Pyongyang and Washington.
Ahn pointed to the removal of fixed loudspeakers along the inter-Korean border last year as part of sustained, low-intensity efforts to create room for dialogue.
He said South Korea is ranked fifth in military power, fourth in arms exports and 10th in economic ranking.
The annual forum runs from Monday through Wednesday under the theme Toward a new coexistence in the age of turbulence and is expected to draw about 1,000 personnel from 67 nations.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 8, 2026 1:58 pm KST

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back gives an opening speech at the Seoul Defense Dialogue held in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Tuesday he "strongly" hopes for the resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the United States, saying the South Korean military will support it with "powerful might."

Ahn made the remarks during the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), as U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his intent to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year.

"I strongly hope that dialogue between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un bears fruit despite various challenges," Ahn said.

"The South Korean military will support the move with powerful might," he said, adding the military will support South Korea's "pacemaker role" as described by President Lee Jae Myung in promoting the resumption of dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington.

The remarks come after Trump instructed the Pentagon to scale down the joint S. Korea-U.S. military exercises last month, in what appears to be a conciliatory gesture toward North Korea.

Lee said he concurs with Trump's efforts to create conditions for dialogue with Pyongyang and expressed his respect for the decision to scale back the summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise.

During the forum, Ahn said the South Korean government will continue to make room for dialogue with Pyongyang with a series of sustained, low-intensity efforts, pointing to the removal of fixed loudspeakers along the inter-Korean border last year.

"All of this is possible when we are backed by our military power, so we are always prepared with all the necessary conditions and capabilities in place," he said.

Pointing to South Korea's global status as fifth in military power, fourth in arms exports and 10th in economic ranking, Ahn highlighted that South Korea should utilize its capabilities in achieving stability and enhancing resilience in coordination with the international community.

Ahn also underscored the importance of "strategic restraint" in achieving stability in the international order, saying deterrence and dialogue should come hand in hand.

"Peace cannot be complete merely with the reinforcement of power," he said. "Even strong military power can increase the risk of miscalculation and expansion of war if channels of military communication are closed," he added.

The annual forum, scheduled to run from Monday through Wednesday, is held under the theme "Toward a new coexistence in the age of turbulence." This year, the event is expected to bring together some 1,000 personnel from 67 nations, including the defense chiefs of the Czech Republic, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Uganda.

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