SEOUL – In a recent lecture, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul emphasized the urgent need for novel diplomatic strategies in response to the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), which he regards as a pivotal element poised to reshape global dynamics.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho articulated his views during an AI lecture organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was attended by prominent AI experts.
During the event, Cho pointed out that leading nations are beginning to treat AI as a matter of security, recognizing its potential to catalyze social changes on a scale comparable to the Industrial Revolution. He underscored the transformative power of AI, drawing parallels to the impact of nuclear weapons on international relations, as discussed in a work by former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
In light of these developments, Cho stressed the importance of developing innovative approaches in the realm of diplomacy to effectively navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the AI era. The session also featured insights from Ha Jung-woo, the head of the Future AI Center at NAVER Corp., who provided an in-depth analysis of AI technologies, including the chatbot developed by the U.S.-based Open AI, known as Chat GPT.
SEOUL – Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of South Korea has defended the appointment of the new Ambassador to Australia, Lee Jong-sup, ensuring that Lee will participate in all necessary legal proceedings, despite being under investigation.According to Yonhap News Agency, during a press conference on Tuesday, he emphasized that public officials, including ambassadors, are obligated to cooperate with judicial inquiries and assured that Lee would return to South Korea as required for the ongoing investigation.
Lee, a former defense minister, has faced scrutiny over allegations related to the handling of an investigation into the death of a young Marine last year. Critics have voiced concerns, suggesting that his appointment as an ambassador and subsequent departure from South Korea could be construed as an attempt to evade legal scrutiny.
However, Han clarified that the nature of public service mandates that officials under investigation must return for questioning when necessary. He justified Lee’s appointment by highlighting the diplomatic importance of Australia, particularly in security and defense matters, and pointed out the diplomatic vacuum created by the end of his predecessor’s tenure last year.
The investigation in question, conducted by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), revolves around accusations that Lee improperly influenced a military probe into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun during a search mission in heavy rain last July. The presidential office stated that it was unaware of the ongoing investigation and any travel restrictions on Lee at the time of his appointment. Furthermore, Han suggested that Lee himself might not have been aware of the exit ban, given that the CIO had not summoned him for questioning in the past six months.