▲ President Lee Jae Myung presides over an open debate of the United Nations Security Council on artificial intelligence at U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 24, 2025. (Yonhap)
▲ President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a press briefing ahead of an open debate of the United Nations Security Council at U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 24, 2025. (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) Lee-UNSC

(2nd LD) Lee says S. Korea will play greater role in promoting 'responsible' AI use

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, photo; UPDATES throughout with latest details)

By Kim Eun-jung

NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung called Wednesday for joint efforts to ensure the "responsible use" of artificial intelligence (AI), underscoring the role of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) in shaping a collective global response.

Lee laid out his administration's AI vision as he chaired an open debate at the UNSC on AI and international peace and security, becoming the first South Korean president to lead such a meeting.

The debate on AI came amid the growing need for international cooperation in addressing concerns about the possibility of AI and other cutting-edge technologies being used in ways that could undermine security and human rights.

"To turn the changes of the AI era -- where light and shadow coexist -- into opportunities, it is essential for the international community to unite and uphold the principle of 'responsible use of AI,'" Lee said.

He called for governments, academia, industry and civil society to work together and promote innovation toward "AI for all" and "inclusive and human-centric AI."

Lee emphasized the council's responsibility to assess the shifting international security landscape and devise collective responses, while pledging that Seoul will play a greater role in them.

"The Republic of Korea, as a responsible global power, is committed to leading international cooperation to ensure that AI becomes a tool for building a sustainable future for humanity," he said.

As the chair of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Lee said South Korea will adopt a global initiative to ensure that AI innovation contributes to the prosperity of humanity.

Seoul has also spearheaded international initiatives, including tabling the first-ever U.N. General Assembly resolution on AI in the military domain and hosting the Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit in Seoul last year.

It has further supported U.N. efforts to combat disinformation targeting peacekeepers and proposed a resolution on emerging technologies and human rights at the Human Rights Council.

Ahead of the session, Lee said it was "deeply meaningful" to chair the UNSC meeting as South Korea assumed the council's rotating presidency this month as a non-permanent member for the 2024-2025 term. South Korea has served as a non-permanent UNSC member three times since joining the U.N. in 1991.

"In particular, it is especially significant to chair the first open debate on AI convened for all U.N. member states," he told reporters.

Lee said Seoul proposed the topic to spur global efforts to address the rapidly evolving international security environment amid advances in AI technology.

"Eighty years ago, the U.N.'s central concern at its founding was how the international community would manage the emerging threat of nuclear weapons," he said. "Now it is time to explore new governance structures to address the new challenges and threats posed by AI."

(END)

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]