The Korea National Diplomatic Academy / Courtesy of Korea National Diplomatic Academy
As geopolitical tensions increasingly spill into new domains, Korea’s leading diplomatic think tank is turning its attention to the frontiers that will define the future of global conflict: artificial intelligence (AI), outer space and the high seas.
The Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS), an arm of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, said Wednesday that it will host a public forum, "IFANS Talks," on Tuesday. The open-door event aims to untangle how rapidly evolving technologies and shifting environments are reshaping modern warfare and international strategy.
The policy pivot aligns with Seoul’s broader national agenda to expand its geopolitical footprint, positioning Korea as a pivotal global player — specifically aiming to achieve "G7+ diplomacy" through active international contribution.
The symposium will bring together a trio of military and security strategists to address the multifaceted challenges confronting the peninsula and its allies. Sohn Han-byeol, a professor of strategy at Korea National Defense University, will open the discussion with an analysis of military AI and the changing nature of future warfare.
The focus will then shift upward to the cosmos, with Eom Jung-sik of the Korea Air Force Academy examining the reality of space warfare. Finally, Ban Kil-joo, a professor at IFANS, will address maritime security strategies amid a compounding global polycrisis.
"This forum offers a vital communication space for deep discussion," the institute noted, adding that a comprehensive Q&A session will allow the public to engage directly with the experts.
By opening the high-level strategic debates to students and the general public, Seoul is signaling a democratization of its national security discourse. The event will take place at the KNDA Hall in Seoul's Diplomatic Town. The proceedings will also be available on the institute’swebsiteand officialYouTube channelfollowing the event.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
Source: Korea Times News
