South Korea hosts first-ever conference of more than 70 countries on combating proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

South Korea will host its first-ever summit of countries committed to preventing the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) next week, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced on May 24.

Hàn Quốc lần đầu đăng cai hội nghị của hơn 70 quốc gia về chống phổ biến vũ khí hủy diệt hàng loạt. (Nguồn: War on the rocks)

The international community is working to stop the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction. (Source: War on the rocks)

The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) High-Level Forum will take place on May 30 on Jeju Island, South Korea, followed by the Eastern Endeavor 23 exercise on May 31 in an effort to enhance WMD counter-proliferation capabilities.

Delegations from more than 70 countries are expected to attend the forum, including the United States, Japan and Australia. US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins will also attend the PSI forum.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Endeavor 23 exercise includes counter-WMD proliferation operations, such as interception and seizure operations at sea.

Delegations attending PSI will observe the exercise from the landing ship Marado.

PSI was launched in 2003 under the presidency of George W. Bush to disrupt the trafficking of WMD, their distribution systems, and related materials.

PSI holds a high-level political meeting every five years to review and provide guidance for the initiative.

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