Kang Shin-chul to hold first 'Mugunghwa Conference' with generals, covering AI, drones and constitutional duty

The Joint Chiefs of Staff will hold a Mugunghwa Conference for all generals and flag officers later this month, with sessions covering AI and drone warfare, plans to advance self-reliant national defense, and constitutional duties. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul will meet with the generals on the opening day for a forum on command philosophy.

According to the Defense Ministry on Friday, the second Mugunghwa Conference of the year is scheduled to run from Nov. 23 to Dec. 15. The opening day will feature a forum — the first since Kang took office in September — in which the minister will share his command philosophy with the assembled generals.

"We are planning the Mugunghwa Conference for all generals and flag officers in order to share an awareness of the grave security situation and strengthen the core competencies required of senior military commanders," the Defense Ministry said. It added that the main topics would include preparation for future warfare involving AI and drones, discussions on advancing self-reliant national defense, and constitutional duties.

The Mugunghwa Conference is a regular forum held since 1973 in which generals share perspectives on defense policy and security issues and strengthen joint operational cohesion. The military held the first conference of this year in April.

The inclusion of constitutional duties on the agenda reflects an intent to reaffirm the military's political neutrality and constitutional obligations, starting with its most senior commanders. The addition of discussions on self-reliant national defense is also seen as an effort to build consensus among military leadership ahead of key alliance issues, including the transfer of wartime operational control from the United States.