S. Korea, U.N. discuss N. Korean nuclear issue, military AI

Seoul, November 13 - Vice Foreign Minister for Strategy and Intelligence Jeong Yeon-doo met with U.N. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu on the sidelines of the Korea-U.N. Conference on Disarmament and Nonproliferation. The two discussed North Korea's nuclear program and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in military applications, according to the South Korean foreign ministry. The session took place during a two-day conference in Seoul.

The officials exchanged views on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, the outcomes of the U.N. General Assembly's First Committee, and methods to strengthen collaboration between South Korea and the UNODA. Jeong emphasized the necessity of international cooperation to promote responsible AI use in military contexts, while also addressing associated challenges.

He noted that South Korea would continue to take an active role in this area, having led a U.N. General Assembly resolution on military AI and co-hosted a related summit with the Netherlands.

Nakamitsu cautioned that rapid advancements in AI and other technologies could introduce new vulnerabilities and heighten the risks of miscalculation and unintended escalation. She stressed that international law must be followed at every stage of AI development and implementation, and that humans must maintain control and accountability for decisions involving AI. Nakamitsu outlined key priorities, including the formulation of policies based on technical expertise and the identification of suitable forums for dialogue.