Since 2012, the Seoul Defense Dialogue―now in its 12th iteration―has contributed to multilateral security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and peace on the Korean Peninsula by gathering high-level defense officials and civilian security experts from both countries and international security organizations for constructive engagement and dialogue.

Currently, the international community not only faces traditional security threats such as those posed by the Russia-Ukraine War, but also nontraditional threats including cyber threats, climate change, and infectious diseases. It is difficult for countries to address such problems alone, and international cooperation and solidarity are essential in overcoming the uncertainties in our current security environment. Thus, the 2023 Seoul Defense Dialogue will discsuss salient topics in the field including security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific, cyber issues, space security, and defense industry cooperation in accordance with our main theme, "Cooperation and Solidarity for Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity."

Please note that we will also host Cyber Working Group, held since 2014 to contribute to international cyber security cooperation in the region, and Space Security Working Group, held since last year to invigorate defense cooperation in the space domain.

This year represents the first Seoul Defense Dialogue to which we have invited minister-level officials from our 50+ partners across the world. Government defense officials and civilian security experts from various nations, who will join as keynote speakers, moderators, and debaters, plan to discuss in sessions, and our conversations will be livestreamed to defense and security officials across the world.

I believe that through your participation, the 2023 Seoul Defense Dialogue will be an even more meaningful venue for conversations that contribute to freedom, peace, and prosperity across the world. I ask for your interest and support, and sincerely look forward to meeting you in person in Seoul in October.

Thank you.