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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a meeting with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae on the 3rd. / Yonhap News

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated on the 8th that the international security environment faces a polycrisis, pledging to continue efforts toward peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula grounded in robust deterrence, trust, and dialogue. He also underscored that the Republic of Korea, as a responsible global power, will actively expand its role in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) and supply chains.

In a video congratulatory address delivered at the 15th Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) held at the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, President Lee remarked, "Building on our self-reliant defense capabilities, the Republic of Korea is broadening the horizons of dialogue for peace and prosperity through mutual respect and cooperation."

He continued, "We will steadfastly pursue peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity on the Korean Peninsula through trust and dialogue anchored in robust deterrence."

President Lee further emphasized, "Beyond strong deterrence, we must forge a new model of security cooperation rooted in international norms and collective resilience."

He added, "We will further expand cooperation in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, advanced technologies such as AI, and supply chains, fulfilling our shared responsibilities with the international community as a responsible global power."

President Lee stated, "South Korea will always take a responsible lead alongside you in closing the chapter on division and confrontation and ushering in an era of peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity."

Delivering a keynote address during the opening ceremony on the same day, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook stressed that peace and security underpin economic growth and public livelihoods, remarking, "In today's world, war and conflict in a single region no longer remain confined to that area."

She noted, "They disrupt energy and supply chains, dictate corporate production and investment, and ultimately take a heavy toll on jobs, consumer prices, and the daily lives of citizens."

Prime Minister Han added, "When peace is destabilized, the very foundations of growth falter. Peace and coexistence are not mere ideals, but pragmatic choices for the welfare of our people and our national interest. We will channel South Korea's world-class advanced manufacturing capabilities, the competitiveness of our defense industry, our democratic experience, and the power of K-culture toward building a safer, more mutually prosperous world."

                                                                                                       Park Young-hoon