The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the 3rd World Emerging Security Forum together with the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) on December 5 in Seoul.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched the World Emerging Security Forum in 2021 to contribute to the international community’s efforts to respond to emerging security threats. At this year’s Forum, around 30 internationally renowned speakers and 1,500 participants from governments, international organizations, the private sector and academia, had in-depth discussions under the theme “Advancing Global Cooperation in Response to Security Threats in Cyberspace and New Technologies.”
In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Park Jin stated that it is important to strengthen global governance and cooperation among all stakeholders to address the emerging security threats, including the spread of disinformation and North Korea's exploitation of cryptocurrency, that arise from the advancement of new technologies such as AI. He also stressed that the Korean government will actively contribute to relevant discussions, including through the annual hosting of the World Emerging Security Forum and Korea's membership of the UN Security Council, which begins next year.
The CEO of the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) Richard Fontaine stated that with geopolitical transformations and technological revolutions occurring simultaneously, the United States and Korea are expanding their cooperation that is anchored in the US-Korea alliance to encompass technology, semiconductor, and cyberspace. In addition, he emphasized the need for coordinated international cooperation as the advancement of new technologies poses a threat to democratic institutions such as elections.
The eighth UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, while recognizing that new technologies including AI can significantly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), expressed significant concerns on the threats. To respond to the threats, he called for strengthening global governance, bridging the digital gap, and promoting comprehensive discussions among various stakeholders. He also hoped that the World Emerging Security Forum, as a comprehensive platform, would make substantive contributions to international discussions.
In Session 1 (responsible use of AI), participants examined the threats posed by AI to security, including its military applications, amid the deepening competition among nations in the development of AI. Additionally, they shared the view that substantive discussions based on a sufficient understanding of AI are needed to establish governance and emphasized that the active participation of the private sector should be encouraged in discussions on regulations.
In Session 2 (cyber threats), participants highlighted the importance of domestic and international cooperation to respond to evolving cyber threats, including ransomware attacks and North Korea's exploitation of cryptocurrency to fund its nuclear and missile development programs. They also positively assessed the participation of numerous speakers from developing countries in this forum and agreed on the need for comprehensive discussions involving various stakeholders, including businesses and academia.
In the Roundtable on new technologies, experts in nanoengineering, quantum, bioengineering, and other new technologies, as well as environment and health, discussed the phenomena that arise when AI converges with these areas, and their security implications. They raised the need to consider the interrelations with other emerging security fields when establishing governance related to AI.
By holding this World Emerging Security Forum ahead of Korea's upcoming tenure on the UN Security Council (2024-25 term), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks to contribute to the efforts of the international community, including the UN Security Council, to respond to emerging security threats in cyberspace and AI. 10. In addition, this Forum, co-hosted together with the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), served as an opportunity to expand cooperation with domestic and foreign research institutions, and enhance the Korean people's awareness of emerging security threats. 11. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to develop the World Emerging Security Forum as a global forum that leads international discussions on emerging security to realize the vision of becoming a Global Pivotal State.
