Military officials from around the world convened in Seoul, unanimously calling for stronger international solidarity against North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, as well as its military cooperation with Russia.
The South Korean Ministry of National Defense hosted the first plenary session of the 14th Seoul Defense Dialogue on Tuesday at the Lotte Hotel. The session focused on Mitigating Geopolitical Competition and Restoring Strategic Stability.
Kim Ji-yoon, a senior researcher at Sogang University’s Institute of Social Sciences, moderated the panel. Speakers included Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee Chairman Giuseppe Cavo Dragone.
Secretary Teodoro highlighted the growing geopolitical instability worldwide, particularly the challenges to the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific. He stressed the importance of trust-based dialogue, responsible competition, and inclusive security approaches that consider diverse national perspectives.
Deputy Prime Minister Anušić emphasized Croatia’s role in stabilizing security in Southeast Europe as a member of both the European Union (EU) and NATO. He underscored the significance of partnering with South Korea in the Indo-Pacific region.
Chairman Dragone addressed the escalating geopolitical instability stemming from the Ukraine conflict and the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. He affirmed NATO’s commitment to collaborating closely with key Indo-Pacific partners, including South Korea, to uphold shared values and maintain international peace through deterrence.
The panel collectively identified North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities, along with its military ties to Russia, as major threats to global security. They emphasized the need for international solidarity and cooperation to foster peace on the Korean Peninsula and build trust.
This year’s Seoul Defense Dialogue, chaired by South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, saw record attendance with over 1,000 participants. Attendees included defense ministers from five nations, deputy defense ministers from eight countries, the NATO Military Committee Chairman, and representatives from 68 countries and international organizations.
In his opening remarks, Minister Ahn stated that while managing North Korea’s advanced nuclear and missile threats, it must expand diplomatic avenues for peace. He added that it will persistently pursue a two-track approach, balancing military de-escalation with trust-building, underpinned by robust deterrence and readiness.