Seoul: Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back has committed to a "two-track" strategy aimed at simultaneously easing military tensions and fostering trust with North Korea, while maintaining a robust defense stance to address security challenges on the Korean Peninsula.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Minister Ahn's remarks were delivered against the backdrop of efforts by the Lee Jae Myung administration to repair strained relations with North Korea. This includes actions such as halting radio broadcasts into North Korea and dismantling loudspeakers along the heavily fortified inter-Korean border.
In his address at the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), an annual security forum hosted by South Korea's defense ministry, Ahn emphasized the "grave" security situation due to North Korea's ongoing development of its nuclear and missile capabilities. He highlighted the significant challenge these threats pose to peace and stability on the peninsula, the surrounding region, and the global nonproliferation framework.
Ahn articulated that South Korea's approach involves maintaining a powerful deterrence and readiness posture while simultaneously striving to reduce military tensions and build trust. He stressed that the military would enhance its strategic deterrence and defense capabilities, yet remain open to dialogue.
As the first civilian defense chief in 64 years, Ahn also highlighted the need to institutionalize trust-building efforts in response to global security threats. He asserted that the power to maintain peace is derived not only from possessing "overwhelming military power" but also from establishing mutual deterrence and trust through institutional means.
The Seoul Defense Dialogue, which commenced on Monday and spans three days, is attended by high-level defense officials from countries including Croatia, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, and South Africa, as well as the chair of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee. The forum is themed "Confronting Geopolitical Challenges: Building Peace through Cooperation."