SEOUL: South Korea recognises that it faces various threats, including cybercrime and persistent threats from North Korea, which cannot be solely addressed through military strength.
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated that threats such as the spread of false information, 'deepfake' technology, large-scale disasters, and infectious diseases required international cooperation and assistance.
"These various threats cannot be effectively tackled with military power alone; they require cooperation among countries," he said during his speech at the Seoul Defence Dialogue (SDD) 2024 here today.
"It requires dedication and determination, and it is a crucial task for the international community to address these threats."
He added that South Korea is currently striving to become a globally influential nation through various sectors, such as semiconductors, green industry, and cultural industries, while maintaining military vigilance against North Korea, a situation that has persisted for over 70 years.
Also present at the dialogue were Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, along with seven other ministers and 900 delegates and representatives from 64 countries.
Han also condemned North Korea's disregard for its citizens' freedom and human rights, noting its serious focus on the development and modernisation of its missile programmes.
"North Korea has formed close ties with Russia, both militarily and economically. North Korea poses a security threat not only on the Korean Peninsula but also globally," he said.
Han stated that South Korea will respond firmly to any provocations and threats from North Korea, leveraging its extraordinary strength and strong alliances, particularly with the United States.
Today, Khaled is expected to meet with several of his counterparts through bilateral meetings.