Seoul Defense Dialogue to Be Held September 8-10... Defense Ministers from Five Countries to Participate

Defense Ministers from Five Countries, Including Japan, to Participate

The Ministry of National Defense announced on September 5 that it will host the 2025 Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, from September 8 to 10. The SDD is a high-level multilateral security forum organized by the Ministry of National Defense since 2012, aimed at contributing to peace on the Korean Peninsula and enhancing regional security cooperation.

Ministry of National Defense, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang

This year, Ministers of Defense from five countries-including Japan, the Philippines, South Africa, Mongolia, and Croatia-will participate, along with Vice Ministers of Defense from eight countries and the NATO Military Committee Chair. In total, more than 1,000 participants from 68 countries and international organizations are expected to attend.

The main theme of this year’s Seoul Defense Dialogue is “Overcoming Geopolitical Challenges: Building Peace through Cooperation.” According to the Ministry of National Defense, the forum aims to assess the current geopolitical competition and security landscape faced by the international community, and to seek ways to promote cooperation for peace and prosperity both on the Korean Peninsula and globally.

On September 9, following an opening address by Minister of National Defense Shin Wonsik, there will be three main sessions and one special session. The main sessions will cover the mitigation of geopolitical competition and restoration of strategic stability; easing military tensions and building sustainable trust; and strengthening future security capabilities through artificial intelligence and new technologies. All main session panels will consist of ministerial- and vice ministerial-level officials from participating countries.

The special session will feature civilian security experts as panelists, who will engage in in-depth discussions on security topics of international interest. The first special session will focus on the stabilization of global supply chains and the development of a resilient defense industry ecosystem.

In addition, on September 10, two special sessions will be held simultaneously. These sessions will address the crisis in the global nuclear order and the strengthening of the nonproliferation regime, as well as strategies for civil-military cooperation in the era of artificial intelligence for advanced defense.

The Ministry of National Defense stated, “We expect this event to serve as an opportunity to strengthen solidarity and cooperation within the international community, present a shared vision for peace and stability, and elevate the Republic of Korea’s status as a nation pursuing pragmatic diplomacy based on national interests.”