The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the 2026 World Emerging Security Forum (WESF) was held in Seoul on September 9. Launched in 2021 to lead discussions on emerging security threats, this year's forum marks its sixth iteration.
The forum featured over 20 speakers from government, international organizations, and academia, with an audience of more than 200 attendees. The theme, "Emerging Technology: Risks and Opportunities," facilitated in-depth discussions and diverse analyses on how technologies such as AI, drones, and space are rapidly transforming the global security landscape. Jeong Yeon-du, head of the Ministry's Strategic Information Office, emphasized in his opening remarks that "international cooperation, norm-setting efforts, and responsible actions by each country are crucial for ensuring that technological innovation strengthens security."
In this context, he highlighted the South Korean government's initiatives, including leading the launch of the REAIM high-level meeting on the responsible military use of AI and the adoption of the first UN General Assembly resolution on the implications of military AI for international peace and security. He also expressed the government's commitment to fostering a human-centered and inclusive AI environment that ensures the benefits of technology are accessible to all.
Kim Hwi-gang, the Cybersecurity Secretary at the Blue House, stated in his congratulatory remarks that "in the modern cyber threat environment, where the speed of attacks is increasing and methods are becoming more sophisticated, rapid detection and recovery from threats are key to cyber defense. Strengthening this resilience will guide the direction of our future cybersecurity policy." He further promised to connect private sector technological innovations with national-level cyber resilience, in line with the government's recently announced policy to nurture innovative companies in AI, drones, cybersecurity, and aerospace.
Discussions in various sessions addressed the fundamental changes in warfare due to the proliferation of low-cost drones and the autonomy of weapon systems, the compressed decision-making time and increased risk of misjudgment as AI, cyber, and nuclear capabilities become interconnected, and the simultaneous militarization and commercialization of space leading to congestion and competition. Participants identified the need for human control and accountability over autonomous weapon systems, maintaining human involvement in critical areas such as nuclear command and control, and reflecting the expanded role of the private sector in space security in the formation of international norms. They agreed that close communication and cooperation among the international community are essential to overcome these challenges.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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