Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back stressed South Korea's efforts to bolster self-reliant defense capabilities alongside a stronger alliance with the United States during a speech in Singapore on May 30.
Ahn Gyu-back spoke at the Asian Security Summit, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore.
He pointed to North Korea's alignment with Russia and combat experience from the Ukraine war as adding instability across the Indo-Pacific region.
Ahn outlined South Korea's work on its three-axis defense system, which includes KAMD, the Kill Chain and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation system, along with AI-based smart military capabilities.
He also reaffirmed efforts to pursue dialogue with Pyongyang and to review practical measures to help secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
