South Korea is solidifying its position as a prominent player in the global defence and security arena. The country’s defence capabilities have significantly evolved, driven by a cutting-edge defence industry, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), and strategic alliances with like-minded nations. During the annual Armed Forces Day celebration earlier this month, South Korea showcased its advanced homegrown weapons systems.
These included the powerful Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile, signalling its readiness to counter North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile programmes. South Korea’s Defence Innovation 4.0 initiative is also pushing the boundaries of military technology. In April, the country launched the Defence AI Centre to spearhead the integration of AI into its defence strategy.
This underscores its commitment to digital transformation in security. In September, Seoul hosted three high-profile defence and security summits. These were the 2nd REAIM Summit (Responsible AI in the Military Domain), the Seoul Defence Dialogue, and the inaugural Cyber Summit Korea.
The events further solidified South Korea’s status as a ‘global pivotal state’, a core element of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s foreign policy. Recently, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul reaffirmed Seoul’s ambition to serve as a “facilitator”, “supporter”, and “initiator” for global peace, technological governance, and the development of new norms. This is especially in the context of AI and cybersecurity.
Dr. Hoo Chiew Ping, Co-Founder and Senior Fellow at the East Asian International Relations (EAIR) Caucus, noted that South Korea’s journey towards becoming a ‘global pivotal state’ reflects its evolving internationalisation strategy.
South Korea’s defence industry advances
This began in the 1990s under the ‘Segyehwa’ initiative. “This new vision isn’t just about introducing South Korea to the world. It’s about showcasing its strengths in niche areas such as defence technology, cybersecurity, and AI integration in the military,” she said.
South Korea is ranked as the world’s 5th most powerful military in the 2024 Global Fire Power Index. It is also the 8th largest arms exporter, with aspirations to break into the top five by 2027. Dr. Hoo emphasised that South Korea’s defence industry has been on an upward trajectory.
The country is leveraging its defence capabilities to establish strategic partnerships globally. “South Korea’s arms exports, such as those to Poland to support Ukraine’s war efforts, highlight its growing influence in regional security and its ability to bolster Eastern Europe’s resilience against Russia’s invasion.”
Prof. Sheen Seong-ho, an international security expert from Seoul National University, concurred that South Korea is in a prime position to foster collaboration beyond the Korean Peninsula.
“Having navigated geopolitical rivalries and a challenging colonial history, South Korea has always sought a peaceful international order where it can prosper and maintain its autonomy,” he said in an email interview. He pointed to South Korea’s participation in NATO summits as a key partner in recent years as evidence of its rising global profile. As Seoul seeks to broaden its influence in global security, its expanding partnerships in Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, and Southeast Asia are building robust lines of communication and cooperation.
Moving forward, South Korea aims to strengthen ties with like-minded nations in East Asia, particularly with ASEAN member states. This is part of its broader strategy to contribute to regional stability and security.
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