Around 2,000 experts and government representatives from over 90 countries attended the event.

In his opening address, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun highlighted how AI use in military operations could strengthen capabilities but also bring potential harm if misused. 

Ukraine’s use of AI-enabled drones in the ongoing conflict with Russia was cited as an example.

The Blueprint

The REAIM Blueprint for Action outlined 20 clauses divided into three sections: the impact of AI on international peace and security; implementing responsible AI in the military domain; and envisaging future governance of AI in the military.

It acknowledged that “AI capabilities in the military domain must be applied in accordance with applicable national and international law.”

Further, the document highlighted that “appropriate human involvement needs to be maintained in the development, deployment and use of AI in the military domain, including appropriate measures that relate to human judgment and control over the use of force.”

Among the topics discussed were risk assessments, confidence-building measures, and preventing AI from being used in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, especially by terrorist groups.

China Opts Out, Russia Not Invited

South Korea, the US, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Pakistan, and Ukraine were among the 61 countries that endorsed the document.

China was one of 30 to opt out. 

Meanwhile, Russia was not invited for the second year in a row due to international condemnation of its Ukraine invasion.

“We also need to be realistic that we will never have the whole world on board,” Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said, adding that this dilemma must be part of further discussions.

This Seoul summit, co-hosted by the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya, and the UK, follows the inaugural session at The Hague last year that initiated guidelines about AI use on the battlefield. 

This year’s summit’s declaration is said to be more action-oriented. “Last year … was more about creating shared understanding, now we are getting more towards action,” Brekelmans said.

South Korea aims to continue discussions based on the summit document in the upcoming UN General Assembly later this month.

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Leader Kim Jong Un‘s regime has staged dozens of launches this year, part of a testing spree that experts say could be linked to North Korea’s alleged illicit supplying of weapons to ally Russia for use in Ukraine.

Pyongyang has denied any sanctions-busting weapons trade with Russia, but with diplomacy long stalled, it declared South Korea its “principal enemy” this year and recently moved nuclear-capable weapons to border areas.

Seoul’s Joint Chief of Staff said it had detected multiple “short-range ballistic missiles” fired early Thursday morning from Pyongyang into the East Sea, or Sea of Japan.

The missiles splashed down after flying around 360 kilometers (220 miles), the JCS said, adding it had “immediately detected, tracked, and monitored” the launch and was sharing information with allies Tokyo and Washington.

It said the test was “a clear provocation that seriously threatens peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

Japan’s defense ministry also confirmed the missile test, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida saying the country had “already lodged a protest with North Korea.”

It is Pyongyang’s first ballistic missile test since July 1, and comes days after the isolated country marked a key anniversary celebrating the founding of the ruling regime.

North Korea has regularly launched missiles around September 9, its foundation day, including conducting its fifth nuclear test on the same day in 2016.

A JCS spokesperson told reporters it was possible the Thursday ballistic missile launch could mean the North “tested it for export to Russia.”

North Korea has recently bolstered military ties with Moscow, with President Vladimir Putin making a rare visit to Pyongyang in June, where he signed a mutual defense agreement with Kim.

Experts have long said North Korean missiles are being deployed in Ukraine, and a new Conflict Armament Research report this week employed debris analysis to show “that missiles produced this year in North Korea are being used in Ukraine.”

Flood Damage

The lack of missile launches in recent months was likely due to widespread flooding that has devastated parts of North Korea, Park Won-gon, a professor at Ewha Womans University, told AFP.

Even in August, when the United States and South Korea staged large-scale joint military drills that typically infuriate Pyongyang, Kim did not fire off any missiles, Park said.

The Thursday launch “can be the first step back to their previous pattern,” he added, warning that Kim had pledged satellite launches this year but had not delivered, so this or an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) could be next.

“North Korea has been focusing on low-power tactical missile tests, capable of carrying nukes and attacking South Korea,” Park said.

Pyongyang last month said a record downpour in late July had killed an unspecified number of people, flooded dwellings, and submerged swathes of farmland in its northern regions near China.

38 North, a North Korean analysis program run by the Stimson Centre think-tank, reported on Wednesday that North Korea’s main nuclear test site was damaged by floodwaters.

Satellite imagery showed multiple bridges and command facilities had been washed away.

Relations between North and South Korea are at one of their lowest points in years, with the North recently announcing the deployment of 250 ballistic missile launchers to its southern border.

The North has also been bombarding the South with trash-carrying balloons, including a five-day straight blitz last week.

Seoul’s military said Pyongyang had launched another salvo of trash-carrying balloons late Wednesday, but the majority of them did not make it across the border, likely due to wind conditions.

In response, Seoul has suspended a tension-reducing military deal with Pyongyang and restarted some propaganda broadcasts from loudspeakers along the border.

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Simulations involved a tactical vehicle triggering a landmine to cause fire and multiple injuries while in an active standoff situation against “enemies.”

Soldiers returned fire to secure the perimeter as the medics moved affected personnel to safety for immediate care.

For the injuries, the army and navy health experts completed blood sweeps and related patient examination, localization of wounds, and monitoring of respiratory and circulatory conditions while administering care.

Tasks included intravenous catheter insertion, tourniquet applications, chest tube placements, documentation, and retrieving of tools with clear and professional communication.

The specialists then coordinated with a medevac team for the patients’ aerial transport.

​”This was an excellent opportunity for our different branches to come together, learn from one another, and advance our medical expertise,” Navy Lt. Cmdr. Meghann Wilson said.

“We gained valuable insights from our Army counterparts and look forward to continuing our joint practice and working seamlessly as a unified force.”

Evaluations, Feedback Provided

The US Indo-Pacific Command noted that participants of the training involved members of the US Army 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, and the US Navy 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group.

The squad’s performance was assessed in partnership with primary care physicians, emergency room doctors, and other assistants.

Throughout the training, the trainees gained feedback to further enhance their capabilities.

“We thoroughly reviewed all treatments administered by the line medics,” Army Combat Medic Spc. Joshua McAlister stated.

“We rechecked every intervention, continued any incomplete procedures or medications and ensured all documentation was current, providing the patient with the best possible care.”

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“The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force capable of deterring adversaries and participating in regional operations,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

The sale will improve “the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region,” the statement said, using the US foreign policy term for the Asia Pacific region.

The State Department approved the possible sale of the helicopters to South Korea, and the DSCA on Monday provided the required notification to Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transaction.

The principal contractors for the deal will be Boeing and Lockheed Martin, the DSCA said.

The announcement came on the same day that Washington and Seoul began major annual joint military drills, with new exercises aimed at containing the nuclear-armed North.

The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise runs until August 29 and will involve thousands of military personnel.

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The six-month trial will allow the country’s Army Special Warfare Command to evaluate the effectiveness of the robot dog in supporting real-world counter-terrorism scenarios.

It will also assess the UGV’s overall performance and compatibility with existing military platforms.

During the prototype testing, the unmanned system is expected to carry out a variety of tasks, including identifying terrorist threats in buildings and rapidly responding to actions by potential terrorists.

It can also be used to support broader search and reconnaissance operations in conjunction with the military.

Prioritizing Troop Safety

Development of the South Korean quadruped UGV started in August 2022 in a collaboration between Hyundai Rotem and Rainbow Robotics.

The platform can move at speeds exceeding 4 kilometers (2.3 miles) per hour and overcome obstacles as high as 20 centimeters (0.7 feet).

It features sophisticated cameras for day and night surveillance and can be mounted with a remotely-controlled firearm to support combat operations.

The main objective of the robot dog is to reach areas otherwise inaccessible to other ground vehicles and keep soldiers away from harm.

It will be used to conduct preliminary evaluations of potentially dangerous environments before human troops are deployed.

Once the trial is completed, DAPA is expected to make a final decision whether to officially deploy the robot dog or further refine its capabilities.

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The People Power Party said in a Sunday commentary that sensitive information about the country’s Baekdu and Geumgang spy planes had been compromised following an alleged “DPRK cyberattack.”

A Seoul-based defense analyst warned that the breach could provide Pyongyang with critical insights about South Korea’s surveillance methods.

It could also pose significant security risks given the advanced nature of the two aircraft for communications and radar detection.

“Recent performance improvements have made these systems more effective than in their initial phase in surveilling North Korea’s ground activities,” Shin Seung-ki from the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses told NK News.

K2 Black Panther

In a separate incident, North Korea reportedly obtained key information about the K2 Black Panther, one of Seoul’s best-selling export products.

Three South Korean researchers allegedly leaked design drawings, development reports, and sensitive data related to the chemical, biological, and radiological pressure device on the main battle tank.

Initial investigation revealed that the accused passed the information through external hard drives in exchange for hefty payments.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration was said to be unaware of the breach until the ROK police launched a probe.

Stronger Protection

This is not the first sensitive information about South Korea’s defense assets has been compromised.

Earlier this year, major North Korean hacking groups breached the internal networks of South Korean defense companies and stole technical data.

They also hacked South Korean chip equipment makers — a move believed to aid Pyongyang’s efforts to develop semiconductors for its weapons programs.

South Korean military analyst Yang Uk from the Asan Institute has emphasized the need for stronger protection of the country’s advanced military technologies from cyber espionage.

He suggested the creation of a specialized counterintelligence agency that would work on addressing these cyber vulnerabilities.

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Under the memorandum of understanding, South Korean defense firm Genohco will support the manufacture of Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) hardware components.

Northrop will supply ALMDS solutions and technical support for the KMCH program’s engineering, manufacturing, and design phase, expected to be complete in 2027.

“Industry collaborations with companies such as Genohco and KAI are key to Northrop Grumman’s approach to technology development across the globe,” Northrop Grumman vice president of multi-domain command and control programs Janice Zilch said.

“Our team is committed to delivering advanced solutions to meet the security needs of the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of National Defense.”

Airborne Laser Mine Detection System

The ALMDS pulses a laser beam to detect, classify, and locate floating and near-surface moored mines.

It provides accurate target geo-location to enable a follow-on mine neutralization procedure. 

The system can be mounted on a variety of helicopters and be deployed for day and night operations.

“Projects like the KMCH program allow global contractors to collaborate with Korean industry,” Genohco senior director of business development Richard D. Yoo said.

“Being part of Northrop Grumman’s supply chain network, we look forward to providing innovative solutions together in the global market.”

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The olive green mobile launchers were displayed during a special “transferring” ceremony in the capital Pyongyang on Sunday, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

The missile launchers were an “up-to-date tactical attack weapon,” Kim was quoted as saying in a speech.

It was the first time North Korea had publicised the scale of an arms transfer to its border units, Han Kwon-hee of the Korea Association of Defence Industry Studies told AFP.

Each launcher was designed to hold four missiles, Han said, adding that Pyongyang’s supply of arms to Moscow might have “interfered with the North’s capacity to actually produce 1,000 missiles.”

Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points in years, with the North ramping up weapons testing and bombarding the South with balloons full of trash.

South Korea has responded by resuming propaganda broadcasts along the border, suspending a tension-reducing military deal, and restarting live-fire drills near the border.

This year, Pyongyang declared South Korea its “principal enemy,” jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatened war over “even 0.001 mm” of territorial infringement.

Kim noted that presenting the new weapons at a time when the country was reeling from flood damage was a “manifestation of the firm will of our Party to push ahead with the bolstering of defence capabilities.”

Heavy rainfall hit the nuclear-armed country’s northern regions in late July, with a South Korean media report claiming up to 1,500 people could have died.

Kim has lashed out at the reports, dismissing them as a “smear campaign to bring disgrace upon us and tarnish” the North’s image.

The North has said there were no casualties at all in the Sinuiju area, the region Pyongyang said had suffered the “greatest flood damage.”

It claimed North Korea’s Air Force rescued over 5,000 people, with around 4,200 of them saved by helicopter “within a few hours.”

Effective Stage

Kim said in his speech that the country was facing a “significant and strategic shift due to the transformation of US-led alliances into nuclear-based military blocs,” a trend he said required an upgrade in war deterrence, according to a KCNA transcript.

“The strength of our armed forces… must continue to accelerate,” Kim said.

Photos released by KCNA showed rows of mobile launchers positioned before a podium where Kim spoke.

Banners flown from a balloon painted with the North Korean flag read: “Let’s open the golden age of defence industry development under the leadership of the great comrade Kim!”

While it was possible that Pyongyang had previously deployed ballistic missile launchers to its southern border, Han said it was the first time he had “seen such official reports detailing the scale of arms transfers” to military units in the area.

Producing such a large number of weapons and displaying them together indicates the event had been “planned months in advance,” Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP.

“Producing 250 mobile launchers requires massive manpower and capital, which shows that the event on Sunday was not staged on a short notice,” he said.

“Pyongyang appears to have judged that staging such a performance-like event would be an effective message to the United States.”

Among the event attendees was Kim’s teenage daughter, Ju Ae, who Seoul’s spy agency said last week was being groomed as Kim’s heir.

Ju Ae, whose exact age has not been confirmed, was seen clapping behind her father in one KCNA photo.

While Kim claimed that the new weapon system was designed by himself, it is likely that they copied the raw technology from overseas, Hong added.

“It is possible that Kim directed the modification using the original technology.”

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Law enforcement and intelligence agencies said that a group known as Andariel “has been compromising organizations around the world to steal sensitive and classified technical information and intellectual property data.”

Andariel has been identified as an arm of Pyongyang’s spy agency, and working “to further the regime’s military and nuclear ambitions,” the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said.

Defense, aerospace, nuclear, and engineering organizations have mainly been targeted, as well as medical and energy providers, some of which have been hit by ransomware attacks.

“The global cyber espionage operation that we have exposed today shows the lengths that DPRK-state-sponsored actors are willing to go to pursue their military and nuclear programs,” said NCSC director of operations Paul Chichester, referring to the secretive communist state.

“It should remind critical infrastructure operators of the importance of protecting the sensitive information and intellectual property they hold on their systems to prevent theft and misuse.”

In a separate advisory, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation said Andariel, which is known by a variety of names, “remain(s) an ongoing threat to various industry sectors worldwide.”

The group has exploited vulnerabilities in software to launch cyberattacks, including malware and phishing to gain access to sensitive data and information.

It urged companies involved in defense, aerospace, nuclear, and engineering sectors “to remain vigilant in defending their networks from North Korea-state-sponsored cyber operations.”

North Korean Indicted in US

The FBI said Andariel had been trying to obtain information such as specifications and design drawings for uranium processing and enrichment as well as missiles and missile defense systems.

The US Justice Department announced the indictment meanwhile of a North Korean national, Rim Jong Hyok, alleged to be a member of the Andariel hacking group.

Rim was indicted by a grand jury in Kansas for alleged extortion attacks on US hospitals and other health care providers, the department said in a statement.

“North Korean hackers developed custom tools to target and extort US health care providers and used their ill-gotten gains to fund a spree of hacks into government, technology, and defense entities worldwide, all while laundering money through China,” Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said.

The State Department announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the apprehension of Rim.

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Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff recently told media reporters that the explosive weapons can be easily swept into its territory by flooding.

It also argued that the act could be considered deliberate, as the monsoon season has already begun in South Korea.

An estimated two million mines are believed to have been buried along the two countries’ 248-kilometer (154-mile) border.

A Dangerous Provocation

Pyongyang’s recent minelaying activity could be viewed as a way to bolster its frontline security posture.

It could also aim to prevent soldiers and citizens from defecting to South Korea.

Seoul’s officials have expressed concerns about the potential danger of the move, claiming that laying the mines alone had already caused about 10 explosions and inflicted “many casualties” within the North Korean military.

For South Korea, the danger lies in the mines being washed downriver, entering its territory and causing potentially deadly incidents.

In 2015, two South Korean soldiers were seriously injured due to a mine explosion blamed on North Korea in the demilitarized zone.

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