Mayor Oh, experts discuss Seoul's defenses against modern threats

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Thursday assessed the city’s defenses against missile or nuclear attacks with experts during a forum hosted in response to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon speaks at a forum on Seoul's defenses against nuclear and missile attacks and related future measures at Seoul City Hall in central Seoul on Thursday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Thursday assessed the city’s defenses against missile or nuclear attacks with experts during a forum hosted in response to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the forum was held “to evaluate North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities amid the rapidly changing international situation due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war” at Seoul City Hall on Thursday afternoon.

It marked the first time a local government hosted a security forum with nuclear and defense experts, the city government said.

“This forum is significant in that it is the first security conference organized by a local government in Seoul, just 38 kilometers [124,672 feet] away from the demilitarized zone,” Oh said, adding that the forum aims to prepare the city for potential crises, such as terrorism or war.

The event began with Oh’s opening speech and discussions on the current extended deterrence strategy and its future.

Some 150 attendees, including Kim Gyu-ha, chief of the Army’s Capital Defense Command, and the city government’s defense committee members, participated in the forum held in downtown Seoul.

The capital’s mayor further discussed with experts security systems tailored to cities and protective measures, taking into account features of modern war as well as different nuclear policies, such as the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons.

The participants discussed modern warfare threats, including drones and artificial intelligence. During the session, measures to protect citizens during emergencies, such as enhancing the practicality of evacuation shelters, were proposed.

“As a local government responsible for ensuring the lives and safety of ten million citizens, we will continue to address the changes in advanced weapon systems and security contingencies brought by technological advances,” Oh said.

“The city government will continue raising awareness among citizens while, simultaneously, making efforts to strengthen Seoul's defense systems even further.”

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]