South Korea convened an international two-day summit on Monday (Sep 9) seeking to establish a blueprint for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the military.

South Korea convened an international two-day summit on Monday (Sep 9) seeking to establish a blueprint for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the military. A report by the news agency Reuters said that more than 90 countries, including the United States (US) and China, sent their representatives to the Summit in Seoul. "Recently, in the Russia-Ukraine war, an AI-applied Ukrainian drone functioned as David's slingshot," South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun said in the opening address. Defence Minister Kim was referring to Ukraine's efforts to gain a technological edge against Russia by rolling out AI-enabled drones. "As AI is applied to the military domain, the military's operational capabilities are dramatically improved. However, it is like a double-edged sword, as it can cause damage from abuse," he added. The expectations from the 2024 summit Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said discussions would cover areas such as a legal review to ensure compliance with international law and mechanisms to prevent autonomous weapons from making life-and-death decisions without appropriate human oversight. Also read | More trouble for Telegram: Police in South Korea launch probe into whether app abets online sex crimes A senior South Korean official told Reuters that the summit hoped to agree to a blueprint for action, establishing a minimum level of guardrails for AI in the military, and suggesting principles on responsible use by reflecting principles laid out by NATO, the US or many other countries. It was unclear how many nations attending the summit would endorse the document on Tuesday, which is aiming to be a more detailed attempt to set boundaries on AI use in the military, but still likely lack legal commitments. What happened during last year's summit At the first such summit held in Amsterdam last year, the US, China, and other countries endorsed a modest "call to action" without legal commitment. However, the summit is not the only international set of discussions on AI use in the military. UN countries that belong to the 1983 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) have been discussing potential restrictions on lethal autonomous weapons systems for compliance with international humanitarian law. In 2023, the Joe Biden-led US administration launched a declaration on the responsible use of AI in the military, which covers broader military application of AI, beyond weapons. As of last month, 55 countries endorsed the declaration. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korea convenes international summit to establish blueprint for ‘responsible’ AI use in military

Tensions between North Korea and South Korea escalated as it was reported on Monday (Nov 27) that Pyongyang has rushed its troops near the border with the South after ending a military pact with its neighbour.

Citing Yonhap news agency, Reuters reported that North Korea has deployed ‘soldiers and heavy weapons at guard posts’ following the suspension of the pact.

Pyongyang on Monday also came down heavily on Seoul and its Western allies after they released a joint statement last week condemning a recent satellite launch.

North Korea warned&nbsp;it would continue to exercise its sovereign rights, including satellite launches.&nbsp;“It is a legal and just way to exercise its right to defend itself and thoroughly respond to and precisely monitor the serious military action by the U.S. and its followers,” state news agency KCNA reported.

<h2>How tensions escalated last week</h2>

It all started when North Korea claimed to have launched a spy satellite into space last Tuesday (Nov 21). This prompted Seoul to partially suspend the 2018 inter-Korean pact designed to reduce military tensions on the Korean peninsula, saying it would resume surveillance flights along the border.

Responding to this move, Pyongyang announced Thursday (Nov 23) that it was completely withdrawing from the pact.

A statement from the defence ministry, carried by state media KCNA, said its forces "will not be bound" by the agreement and that all military measures "will be restored immediately."

It added that South Korea would be forced to "pay dearly" for its decision to withdraw from part of the agreement.

<h2>What’s behind North Korea’s bold stance?</h2>

North Korea’s highly contentious missile programme is believed to have received fresh blessings from Moscow.&nbsp;

According to South Korean intelligence agencies, Russia provided technical assistance to North Korea for Tuesday's launch of a rocket that put its "Malligyong-1" spy satellite into orbit.

Watch:&nbsp;North Korea's Kim Jong-un examines spy satellite images of major target regions

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South Korea had warned before the launch that if the North defied international requests not to go ahead with the deployment of the satellite, it would have little choice but to reconsider the 2018 agreement signed by Kim and then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

<h2>Experts say the agreement was ‘already defunct’</h2>

Experts believe that while the military pact was already ‘defunct, the recent episode is still likely to escalate tensions between the hostile neighbours.

RahJong-yil, a former diplomat and senior South Korean intelligence officer, was quoted by DW as saying, “I would say that the ending of the agreement itself is not all that significant, largely because the North has been repeatedly violating the terms of the deal for the last few years anyway."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-inspects-photos-of-major-target-regions-taken-by-spy-satellite-662596">Also read:&nbsp;North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects photos of ‘major target regions’ taken by spy satellite</a>

"And now they have put a reconnaissance satellite into orbit, you could argue that much of the 2018 agreement was meaningless anyway," he added.

"Now, we have to pay attention to the developments they are making with their weapons, which the North describes as its 'three-dimensional capability'," he said. "We know they are investing heavily in nuclear weapons, long-range missiles — including submarine-launched missiles — and space weapons. This is the challenge we must focus on now."

(With inputs from agencies)

Tensions between North Korea and South Korea escalated as it was reported on Monday (Nov 27) that Pyongyang has rushed its troops near the border with the South after ending a military pact with its neighbour.

Tensions between North Korea and South Korea escalated as it was reported on Monday (Nov 27) that Pyongyang has rushed its troops near the border with the South after ending a military pact with its neighbour. Citing Yonhap news agency, Reuters reported that North Korea has deployed ‘soldiers and heavy weapons at guard posts’ following the suspension of the pact. Pyongyang on Monday also came down heavily on Seoul and its Western allies after they released a joint statement last week condemning a recent satellite launch. North Korea warned it would continue to exercise its sovereign rights, including satellite launches. “It is a legal and just way to exercise its right to defend itself and thoroughly respond to and precisely monitor the serious military action by the U.S. and its followers,” state news agency KCNA reported. How tensions escalated last week It all started when North Korea claimed to have launched a spy satellite into space last Tuesday (Nov 21). This prompted Seoul to partially suspend the 2018 inter-Korean pact designed to reduce military tensions on the Korean peninsula, saying it would resume surveillance flights along the border. Responding to this move, Pyongyang announced Thursday (Nov 23) that it was completely withdrawing from the pact. A statement from the defence ministry, carried by state media KCNA, said its forces "will not be bound" by the agreement and that all military measures "will be restored immediately." It added that South Korea would be forced to "pay dearly" for its decision to withdraw from part of the agreement. What’s behind North Korea’s bold stance? North Korea’s highly contentious missile programme is believed to have received fresh blessings from Moscow. According to South Korean intelligence agencies, Russia provided technical assistance to North Korea for Tuesday's launch of a rocket that put its "Malligyong-1" spy satellite into orbit. Watch: North Korea's Kim Jong-un examines spy satellite images of major target regions × South Korea had warned before the launch that if the North defied international requests not to go ahead with the deployment of the satellite, it would have little choice but to reconsider the 2018 agreement signed by Kim and then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Experts say the agreement was ‘already defunct’ Experts believe that while the military pact was already ‘defunct, the recent episode is still likely to escalate tensions between the hostile neighbours. RahJong-yil, a former diplomat and senior South Korean intelligence officer, was quoted by DW as saying, “I would say that the ending of the agreement itself is not all that significant, largely because the North has been repeatedly violating the terms of the deal for the last few years anyway." Also read: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects photos of ‘major target regions’ taken by spy satellite "And now they have put a reconnaissance satellite into orbit, you could argue that much of the 2018 agreement was meaningless anyway," he added. "Now, we have to pay attention to the developments they are making with their weapons, which the North describes as its 'three-dimensional capability'," he said. "We know they are investing heavily in nuclear weapons, long-range missiles — including submarine-launched missiles — and space weapons. This is the challenge we must focus on now." (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea rushes troops, heavy weapons near border with South, warns of more satellite launches

South Korea’s constitutional court on Tuesday (Sep 26) ruled that the ban on sending propaganda leaflets to North Korea was unconstitutional.&nbsp;It struck down the law passed in 2020 by the then-president Moon Jae-in, who had sought better ties with Pyongyang.

Civic groups in Seoul and critics said that the law stifles freedom of expression, reported the South Korean news agency Yonhap.&nbsp;

<h2>South Korean court about the law</h2>

The law passed in 2020 led to a revised Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act which went into effect in March a year later. It prohibits the launching of anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border and subjects violators to up to three years in prison or $22,210 in fines.&nbsp;

The revision was made under the&nbsp;liberal administration of Moon Jae-in which said that launching such leaflets could provoke the North and risk the safety of border town residents.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-calls-for-more-practical-offensive-war-deterrence-to-counter-us-south-korea-581166">North Korea’s Kim calls for more ‘practical, offensive’ war deterrence to counter US, South Korea</a>

Civic groups in South Korea, including Park Sang-hak who leads Fighters for a Free North Korea, filed a constitutional petition against the law on the day of its promulgation, reported Yonhap.&nbsp;

In a seven-to-two vote ruling, the court said banning the distribution of leaflets excessively limited freedom of speech.

The court’s decision to nullify the law takes effect immediately.

<h2>The ‘anti-Pyongyang leaflet’ debate</h2>

Over the years, groups run by North Korean defectors and other campaigners in South Korea have sent anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North, mostly using balloons or bottles on border rivers.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-bans-sending-leaflets-into-north-349778">South Korea bans sending leaflets into North</a>

These messages, which are known to be coveted by North Koreans, are often printed on small plastic bags which also carry food and USB sticks containing South Korean news and dramas and are harshly critical of the North Korean leadership.&nbsp;

In the past, Pyongyang has reacted angrily to the practice and denounced it as an obstacle to better relations between the two countries.

North Korea had also reportedly shut down the communications links – inter-Korean military lines or liaison calls, established in 2018 – for nearly a year over the leaflets critical of Kim Jong Un’s regime.&nbsp;

Some residents in South Korean border towns have also criticised the action as stoking tension and putting their safety at risk.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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South Korea’s constitutional court on Tuesday (Sep 26) ruled that the ban on sending propaganda leaflets to North Korea was unconstitutional. It struck down the law passed in 2020 by the then-president Moon Jae-in, who had sought better ties with Pyongyang.

South Korea’s constitutional court on Tuesday (Sep 26) ruled that the ban on sending propaganda leaflets to North Korea was unconstitutional. It struck down the law passed in 2020 by the then-president Moon Jae-in, who had sought better ties with Pyongyang. Civic groups in Seoul and critics said that the law stifles freedom of expression, reported the South Korean news agency Yonhap. South Korean court about the law The law passed in 2020 led to a revised Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act which went into effect in March a year later. It prohibits the launching of anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border and subjects violators to up to three years in prison or $22,210 in fines. The revision was made under the liberal administration of Moon Jae-in which said that launching such leaflets could provoke the North and risk the safety of border town residents. ALSO READ | North Korea’s Kim calls for more ‘practical, offensive’ war deterrence to counter US, South Korea Civic groups in South Korea, including Park Sang-hak who leads Fighters for a Free North Korea, filed a constitutional petition against the law on the day of its promulgation, reported Yonhap. In a seven-to-two vote ruling, the court said banning the distribution of leaflets excessively limited freedom of speech. The court’s decision to nullify the law takes effect immediately. The ‘anti-Pyongyang leaflet’ debate Over the years, groups run by North Korean defectors and other campaigners in South Korea have sent anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North, mostly using balloons or bottles on border rivers. ALSO READ | South Korea bans sending leaflets into North These messages, which are known to be coveted by North Koreans, are often printed on small plastic bags which also carry food and USB sticks containing South Korean news and dramas and are harshly critical of the North Korean leadership. In the past, Pyongyang has reacted angrily to the practice and denounced it as an obstacle to better relations between the two countries. North Korea had also reportedly shut down the communications links – inter-Korean military lines or liaison calls, established in 2018 – for nearly a year over the leaflets critical of Kim Jong Un’s regime. Some residents in South Korean border towns have also criticised the action as stoking tension and putting their safety at risk. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

South Korea court: Banning anti-North Korea propaganda leaflets ‘unconstitutional’

North Korea fired two short-range missiles early on Thursday from its eastern coast, South Korea's military said. It is the first missile test since leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks. Watch this video to know more.

South Korean military: North Korea fired two missiles into sea

North Korea has conducted new missile tests, raising further tensions on the Korean peninsula. South Korea has described the launches as a security threat. Watch this video to know more.

South Korea calls North Korea missile tests as a security threat

Amid reconciliatory efforts for ensuring long-lasting peace with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blames-us-for-failed-summit-urges-new-calculation-221306">North Korea</a>, South Korea is set to hold a new civilian-military exercise from May 27 to 30, the country`s defence and interior ministries said on Friday.

The Ulchi Taegeuk exercise will have around 480,000 civilians, government officials and armed service members, Yonhap News Agency quoted the two ministries as saying.

It is meant to "strengthen the country`s crisis management capabilities in dealing with various safety and security threats, including terrorist attacks and large-scale natural disasters, as well as to ensure a readiness posture," they said.

The soon-to-be-launched military drills will combine two existing programmes -- the Taegeuk command post exercise led by the South Korean military and the government`s Ulchi exercise, which was part of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) exercise, according to the news report.

The UFG exercise, which was carried out jointly by the US and South Korea were temporarily suspended with Seoul saying it would create a new drill to boost peace-building efforts in the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea has repeatedly attacked South Korea and the US for their joint exercises, claiming that it was a "rehearsal" for invading the secretive communist nation. Both Seoul and Washington have rejected Pyongyang`s allegations, saying that the drills were defensive in nature.

Amid reconciliatory efforts for ensuring long-lasting peace with North Korea, South Korea is set to hold a new civilian-military exercise from May 27 to 30, the country`s defence and interior ministries said on Friday.

Amid reconciliatory efforts for ensuring long-lasting peace with North Korea, South Korea is set to hold a new civilian-military exercise from May 27 to 30, the country`s defence and interior ministries said on Friday. The Ulchi Taegeuk exercise will have around 480,000 civilians, government officials and armed service members, Yonhap News Agency quoted the two ministries as saying. It is meant to "strengthen the country`s crisis management capabilities in dealing with various safety and security threats, including terrorist attacks and large-scale natural disasters, as well as to ensure a readiness posture," they said. The soon-to-be-launched military drills will combine two existing programmes -- the Taegeuk command post exercise led by the South Korean military and the government`s Ulchi exercise, which was part of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) exercise, according to the news report. The UFG exercise, which was carried out jointly by the US and South Korea were temporarily suspended with Seoul saying it would create a new drill to boost peace-building efforts in the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has repeatedly attacked South Korea and the US for their joint exercises, claiming that it was a "rehearsal" for invading the secretive communist nation. Both Seoul and Washington have rejected Pyongyang`s allegations, saying that the drills were defensive in nature.

South Korea to hold new civilian-military exercise next week

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