열린장관실

Opening Remarks by H.E. Park Jin

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Republic of Korea

The 3rd World Emerging Security Forum

(December 5, 2023)

Good morning.

I am Park Jin,

Foreign Minister  

of the Republic of Korea.

It is a great pleasure to welcome you

all to the 2023 World Emerging Security Forum.

We extend our sincere gratitude

to the Center for New American Security, CNAS, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, KAIST.

In particular, CNAS has emerged as

one of the world’s premier think tanks specialized in foreign policy and national security issues.

Under the leadership of Mr. Richard Fontaine,

CEO of CNAS, and Dr. Paul Scharre(샤레이),

Executive Vice President and Director of Studies,

The organization has demonstrated

exceptional policy insights.

Their invaluable partnership

has played a crucial role

in convening this conference.  

Today, we are honored to be in the company of distinguished speakers,

including the former Secretary General

of the United Nations Honorable Ban Ki-moon

who will give a keynote speech today,

whose insights are indispensable

as we confront the multifaceted security threats

of our time.  

The world we face is strained by

escalating geopolitical tensions

that are reshaping the international order

in unprecedented ways.

And the breakneck pace of

technological innovation adds

new layers of complexity

to this global security landscape.

In fact, we stand at the threshold of

another transformative era,

where emerging technologies,

especially artificial intelligence,

compel us to reconsider

the traditional security paradigms.

The exponential growth of AI

and digital technology is

unlocking unprecedented opportunities

for growth and prosperity.

Yet, this rapid technological evolution

also presents formidable challenges

that require strategic responses.

The prospect of AI's militarization,

the perils of widespread surveillance,

and the disruptive potential of deepfakes

pose significant threats.

AI-driven social media platforms

have become conduits for hate speech,

misinformation, and conspiracy theories.

This is eroding the tenets of democracy

and inciting conflict and violence.

Incidents of cybersecurity violations,

data breaches, and attacks on critical infrastructure are also on the rise.

The reported appropriation of $1.7 billion

in cryptocurrency by North Korea last year

to fund their nuclear aspirations

underscores the urgency of our discussions.

It is therefore critical that

the governance of these emerging technologies

evolves as swiftly as the technologies themselves.

We must harness their potential

while effectively managing the associated risks.

This crucial mission demands

an unprecedented level of international cooperation.

Governments, the private sector, civil society,

and international organizations

must unite and forge a common path forward.

Korea, aspiring to be a Global Pivotal State,

or GPS in short, is committed to

spearheading these essential efforts.  

The launch of the World Emerging Security Forum

is a testament to our dedication.  

As a multi-stakeholder platform,

the Forum aims to raise awareness of

emerging security threats, and facilitate partnerships to address these challenges collectively.

Looking ahead,

Korea will host a series of conferences on AI next year.

In collaboration with the United Kingdom,

we will host a virtual AI Safety Summit.

Additionally, we will organize the second Summit

on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain, or REAIM in short,

in partnership with the Netherlands.

Korea also has a capacity to

lead the international discourse on AI,

and Korea is ranked sixth in terms of Global AI Index. Korea is a third country with most AI-related patent, following the United States and China.

Simultaneously, we are determined

to bridge the digital divide,

ensuring that the benefits of digital advancements reach all.

Our plan to increase the Official Development Assistance, ODA, by 40 percent increase next year underlines this commitment.

We are also eager to work closely

with the UN's High-Level Advisory Body on AI

to develop a comprehensive AI governance framework.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The significance of the third Forum today is

further highlighted by Korea's upcoming tenure

on the UN Security Council

starting January 1st next year.

During our term, we aim to integrate

the multifaceted effects of emerging technologies,

including cyber threats,

into the deliberations of the Council.

With that, I look forward to

an enlightening discussion today.

Once again I thank you, Mr. Richard Fontaine, for contributing to this conference,

and the special keynote speech

by the former Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

of the United Nations.

Let me close by expressing my gratitude once again for your participation today,

including CNAS and members of KAIST.

Thank you. 감사합니다. /END/