First Open Debate on AI to Be Chaired as President of the UN Security Council
Sharing South Korea's Democratic Recovery After the December 3 Martial Law
Stance on North Korea's Nuclear Issue and the Korean Peninsula Peace Process to Be Outlined
First Time for a South Korean President to Preside Over a Security Council Debate
The upcoming high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly, which President Lee Jaemyung will attend on September 23, is the world's largest multilateral diplomatic stage, with the participation of heads of state from 193 member countries. President Lee is expected to deliver a speech at the General Assembly, introducing the process of restoring democracy following the December 3 Martial Law and expressing his stance on the Korean Peninsula peace process, including the North Korean nuclear issue. As President Donald Trump of the United States will also address the UN General Assembly for the first time since his return to office, there is a possibility that the two leaders will have their second meeting in New York, following their first Korea-US summit last month.
President Lee is scheduled to deliver his speech as the seventh speaker between 9:00 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. local time in the United States, where the UN General Assembly is being held, with a speaking time of 15 minutes. Kang Yoojung, spokesperson for the presidential office, explained, "There will be a speech outlining the government's basic diplomatic direction, including issues related to the Korean Peninsula." The speech is expected to include content about President Lee's consistent efforts for dialogue with North Korea and the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula, which he has emphasized since the early days of his presidency.
Historically, South Korean presidents have always delivered messages regarding North Korea policy in their UN General Assembly speeches. Former President Yoon Sukyeol, in 2023, warned, "The Republic of Korea and its allied countries will not stand idly by," pointing out the military transactions between North Korea and Russia. Former President Moon Jaein announced declarations to end the Korean War in both 2018 and 2021. However, when asked whether President Lee would mention an end-of-war declaration, spokesperson Kang replied, "It is still difficult to comment on specific details."
In addition, through his speech, President Lee will share with the international community South Korea's experience of a democratic crisis and its overcoming process, following the Group of Seven (G7) summit. The martial law incident on December 3 last year is expected to be mentioned. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also met President Lee at the G7 summit on June 17 and said, "It would be great if you could personally share the story of Korea's democratic recovery at the UN General Assembly in September."
It is also noteworthy that President Lee will preside over a high-level discussion at the UN General Assembly during South Korea's tenure as president of the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council is the UN's core body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. The 15 member states take turns serving as president for one month each, in alphabetical order of country names. South Korea, a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2024-2025 term, holds the presidency this month. This is the first time in one year and three months since June last year that South Korea has assumed the presidency. Spokesperson Kang explained, "On the 24th, an open debate will be held on the theme of artificial intelligence and international peace and security," adding, "The meeting will discuss the opportunities and challenges posed by the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to international peace and security, and seek a collective response from the international community."
Meanwhile, during the UN General Assembly, President Lee may meet with other world leaders. President Donald Trump of the United States will also deliver a speech at this session. Therefore, there is a possibility that the two leaders will meet for the second time in New York, following their first summit in Washington, D.C. last month. President Lee's attendance at the UN General Assembly coincides with South Korea's role as president of the UN Security Council.
The Security Council is the UN's core body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. The 15 member states take turns serving as president for one month each, in alphabetical order of country names. South Korea, a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2024-2025 term, holds the presidency this month. This is the first time in one year and three months since June last year that South Korea has assumed the presidency.
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