1 of 2 | South Korea’s Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back delivers his speech during a plenary session of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-la Dialogue Defence Summit in Singapore, 30 May 2026. Defense ministers and officials from 44 countries are gathered in the city state for the IISS Shangri-la Dialogue, an annual high level defence summit in the Asia Pacific region. Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / EPA
May 31 (Asia Today) -- South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back used a major regional security forum in Singapore to emphasize self-reliant defense, saying Seoul must strengthen its own military capabilities even as it maintains a strong alliance with the United States.
Ahn spoke Saturday at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue, where defense leaders from the Indo-Pacific and Europe gathered as North Korea and Russia deepen military cooperation and regional powers adjust to a changing security environment.
"The Republic of Korea will continue its efforts to strengthen self-reliant defense capabilities in tandem with enhancing the alliance with the United States," Ahn said, using South Korea's official name. He said Seoul would play a more leading role in defending the Korean Peninsula as it builds a "smart military" using artificial intelligence, drones and anti-drone systems.
