Seoul: Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated his strong hope for the resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the United States, emphasizing that the South Korean military will back this initiative with significant strength. Ahn's comments were made during the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), as U.S. President Donald Trump has shown interest in meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un within this year.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn expressed optimism about the potential success of discussions between President Trump and Kim Jong-un, despite the numerous challenges involved. He reiterated the South Korean military's commitment to supporting these efforts, aligning with President Lee Jae Myung's vision of South Korea playing a "pacemaker role" in facilitating renewed talks between Pyongyang and Washington.
The context for these remarks includes President Trump's recent directive to the Pentagon to reduce the scale of joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises, a move seen as an olive branch towards North Korea. President Lee has voiced agreement with Trump's strategy to foster conditions conducive to dialogue with Pyongyang, also acknowledging the decision to downscale the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise this summer.
During the forum, Ahn highlighted the South Korean government's ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for dialogue with North Korea through persistent, low-intensity measures, referencing the dismantling of fixed loudspeakers along the inter-Korean border last year. He emphasized the importance of military readiness in supporting these diplomatic efforts, pointing to South Korea's global standing in military power, arms exports, and economic ranking as key assets in achieving regional stability and resilience in collaboration with the international community.
Ahn further stressed the necessity of "strategic restraint" to maintain stability in the global order, advocating for a balance between deterrence and dialogue. He warned that even formidable military power could lead to the risk of miscalculation and escalation if military communication channels remain closed.
The annual forum, which runs from Monday through Wednesday, is themed "Toward a new coexistence in the age of turbulence." This year, it is set to gather approximately 1,000 participants from 67 nations, including defense chiefs from the Czech Republic, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Uganda.