[Unofficial Translation]
[Opening Remarks]

Honorable leaders, and global citizens who cherish democracy,

I would like to welcome you to this session held under the theme of “Technology, Elections, and Mis-/Dis-information.”

Today, the world is facing an unprecedented poly-crisis.

Even before the wounds of the Covid-19 pandemic have healed, geopolitical conflicts are erupting in various parts of the world. In addition, as the climate crisis worsens, the food and energy crises are deepening.

Also, the rise of authoritarianism in many parts of the world is posing a challenge to the democracy that we have defended.

Honorable leaders,

In 1965, Gordon Moore, the co-founder of Intel, made the intriguing claim that the performance of semiconductors will double every two years.

As predicted by Moore's Law, the world is developing at a rapid pace that humanity has yet to experience.

New products and services using artificial intelligence and big data are appearing day after day, which is making our lives more convenient. However, unexpected side effects are also on the rise.

Especially, the indiscriminate spread of fake news and manipulated information using AI and internet bot technology is emerging as a global problem.

Fake news, which is systematically produced and distributed by certain groups, does more than just spread misinformation; it gives rise to social conflicts and division.

Also, fake news is threatening elections, which are the foundation of democracy, by inciting people to make flawed decisions based on information that is not true.

This is a clear provocation against democracy.

This year is a “super election” year where more than a third of the global population will participate in elections.

Honorable leaders,

Democracies that share universal values must stand united and collectively respond to fake news.

Our responsibility to safeguard the foundations of democracy through fair elections is greater than ever.

We need to work together to establish laws and institutions to deal with fake news in a stern manner.

More specifically, the international community must collaborate to strictly enforce relevant laws against forces who are attempting to influence the elections of other countries from across borders.

Furthermore, technological solidarity and the sharing of technology are needed to protect democracy.

In this fight against those forces that misuse AI and digital technology to create fake news, we should jointly create AI and digital systems to detect and combat such fake news.

If malicious fake news and false information continue unabated, we need to carry out strong and systematic anti-propaganda campaigns to collectively address them.

Honorable leaders,

Promoting democracy across the world cannot be achieved by a single nation.

We need to continue to further strengthen and continuously expand the solidarity among democracies that share universal values.

To this end, the Republic of Korea will closely work together with governments, international organizations and the private sector.

In particular, we will join forces with partners in the international community to continue to build on the outcomes of the three Summits for Democracy that we have achieved together and to firmly defend our democracy from fake news.

With this, I would like to conclude my remarks and invite the participating leaders to deliver their statements.

Once again, I would like to thank all of you for your active participation.

[Closing Remarks]

Honorable leaders,

I would like to thank you for sharing your valuable thoughts on how to build a better democracy for future generations under the theme of “Technology, Elections and Mis-/Dis-information.”

Today, we held extensive discussions on the impact of emerging technologies on our elections and democracy, and ways to cooperate in response to them.

Through today's lively discussion, we were able to reaffirm our shared desire for a future where freedoms and human rights are respected, and where peace and prosperity flourish.

I am also convinced that if democratic nations work together in solidarity and cooperate in the fields of law, institutions, and science and technology, we can overcome new challenges to democracy, such as fake news.

I hope that we will pool our wisdom to ensure that new technologies, including AI, become a fulcrum to promote and advance democracy, rather than being used to undermine it.

To ensure that our efforts bear precious fruit, the Republic of Korea will continue to communicate and cooperate closely with the international community, and actively support relevant activities by the private sector.

I look forward to continued in-depth discussions on democracy in the following sessions as well.

Thank you once again for your constructive participation.