Singapore: Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back will travel to Singapore later this week to attend an annual security forum, his ministry said Thursday, amid an increasingly volatile security landscape, highlighted by the Middle East conflict. Ahn will be participating in the 23rd Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, from Friday through Sunday. He will be joined by his counterparts from key nations, including the United States, Japan, and other European and Indo-Pacific partners.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn is scheduled to deliver a speech at the plenary session, where he will introduce "South Korea's defense policy in light of responses to a rapidly changing security environment and related challenges." The summit provides an opportunity for Ahn to engage in discussions with global defense leaders on pressing security issues.

On the sidelines of the gathering, bilateral talks are planned between Ahn and his counterparts from Japan, Australia, Norway, the Philippines, and Thailand. These discussions will focus on mutual security issues and exploring ways to expand defense cooperation. Additionally, Ahn will meet with members of the U.S. House and Senate attending the forum, further strengthening defense ties between South Korea and the United States.

Launched in 2002, the Shangri-La Dialogue serves as a multilateral platform for top defense and military officials to discuss security situations in the Indo-Pacific and around the world. It also provides a venue for efforts to promote cooperation in addressing regional and global security challenges.