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Kim Eun-jun
NEW YORK, September 24 (Yonghap) – President Lee Jae Myung called on Wednesday a joint effort to ensure the “responsible use” of artificial intelligence (AI) highlighting the role of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to form a collective global response.
Lee chaired the open discussion at the UNSC on AI and international peace and security, and became the first South Korean president to lead such a conference.
The debate on AI emerged amid the growing need for international cooperation to address concerns about the possibility that AI and other cutting-edge technologies could be used in ways that could undermine security and human rights.
“When light and shadow coexist, it is essential for the international community to unite and support the principle of “responsible use of AI” in order to turn changes in the AI age into opportunities,” Lee said.
President Lee Jae Myung will host an open discussion by the UN Security Council on UN Artificial Intelligence at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 24, 2025 (YONHAP)
He called for governments, academia, industry and civil society to work together to promote innovation in “AI for All” and “inclusive, human-centric AI.”
Lee stressed the council's responsibility to change the international security environment and devise a collective response, pledging Seoul to play a major role in them.
“The Republic of Korea as a responsible global power is committed to leading international cooperation to ensure that AI will become a tool to build a sustainable future for humanity,” he said.
As chairman of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, Lee said South Korea will adopt global initiatives to ensure that AI innovation contributes to the prosperity of humanity.
Seoul also represented the first UN General Assembly resolution on AI in the military territory and led international initiatives, including hosting responsible AI at the Military Territory (REAIM) summit held in Seoul last year.
It also supported the United Nations efforts to combat disinformation targeting peacekeeping forces and proposed a Human Rights Council resolution on emerging technologies and human rights.
Prior to the session, Lee said it was “deeply meaningful” to chair the UNSC meeting as South Korea envisioned a revolving presidency this month as a non-permanent member of its 2024-2025 term. South Korea has served as a non-permanent UNSC member three times since joining the United Nations in 1991.
“It is especially important to chair the first public debate on AI convened for all UN member states,” he told reporters.
Lee said that Seoul proposed a topic that encourages global efforts to address the rapidly evolving international security environment amid advances in AI technology.
“Eighty years ago, the UN's central interest in its establishment was how the international community manages the new threat of nuclear weapons,” he said. “Now is the time to explore new governance structures to address the new challenges and threats posed by AI.”
President Lee Jae Myung will speak at a press conference ahead of the public debate at the UN Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York on September 24, 2025 (Yonhap)
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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