South Korea defense chief stresses self-reliance
· UPIMay 31 (Asia Today) -- South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back used a major regional security forum in Singapore to emphasize self-reliant defense, saying Seoul must strengthen its own military capabilities even as it maintains a strong alliance with the United States.
Ahn spoke Saturday at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue, where defense leaders from the Indo-Pacific and Europe gathered as North Korea and Russia deepen military cooperation and regional powers adjust to a changing security environment.
"The Republic of Korea will continue its efforts to strengthen self-reliant defense capabilities in tandem with enhancing the alliance with the United States," Ahn said, using South Korea's official name. He said Seoul would play a more leading role in defending the Korean Peninsula as it builds a "smart military" using artificial intelligence, drones and anti-drone systems.
Ahn's remarks centered on two themes: self-strengthening and South Korean leadership in defense. He said South Korea must respond to North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats and the expanding military partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow.
Ahn presented the modernization of South Korea's three-axis defense system as a core task. The system includes preemptive strike, missile defense and massive retaliation capabilities designed to deter or respond to North Korean nuclear and missile attacks.
He also said South Korea would move faster to develop AI-based detection and strike systems and manned-unmanned teaming capabilities, a concept that integrates crewed platforms with drones and other autonomous systems.
Ahn also suggested South Korea is reviewing ways to contribute to global maritime security, including efforts related to the Strait of Hormuz, a key international sea route.
The meeting also highlighted defense coordination between Seoul and Washington. Ahn spoke with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during the forum about Korean Peninsula security and the future of the alliance.
In his own Shangri-La Dialogue speech, Hegseth said the era in which the United States carried the defense burden for wealthy countries was over and called for allies to take greater responsibility. He praised South Korea as an example of burden-sharing, saying other countries should look to Seoul to understand what responsible defense cooperation looks like.
Hegseth also described South Korea's push to accelerate wartime operational control transfer as encouraging, while calling for a balanced approach that maintains U.S. and South Korean readiness.
Ahn thanked Hegseth for recognizing South Korea's defense spending, security leadership and efforts to strengthen its own military capacity. Seoul has argued that a stronger South Korean military can make the alliance healthier by shifting the relationship from one of protection to one of more equal partnership.
During his Singapore visit, Ahn also held or pursued talks with defense leaders from the United States, Japan, Australia, Norway and the Philippines, as well as U.S. congressional delegations. South Korea and Japan discussed a possible military logistics support agreement during the dialogue, though Ahn stressed the need for caution because of historical sensitivities between the two countries.
South Korea is also using the forum to expand defense industry cooperation with like-minded countries. Seoul sees advanced defense exports and technology partnerships as a way to strengthen its own security while contributing to regional stability.
Ahn's message in Singapore was that alliance-based security remains essential, but dependence alone is not enough. South Korea, he said, must build the capacity to lead its own defense in an era of nuclear threats, artificial intelligence warfare and widening strategic competition.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.
Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260601010009188