Convent ion on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) 2016 Meeting of Experts on LAWS (General Debate)
Geneva, 11 April 2016
Mr. Chairman,
At the outset, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to you for organizing and chairing the 2016 CCW meeting of Experts on LAWS. I would also like to thank your staff and the Secretariat for their devotion and dedication in arranging this meeting. It is an honor for me to serve as the Friend of the Chair for this important meeting.
Mr. Chairman,
The last two meetings of Experts on LAWs in 2014 and 2015 contributed to facilitating common understanding concerning the main elements of LAWs among the member states. These efforts have led to an in-depth and substantive discussion on the technical issues, characteristics, possible challenges and ways forward in the area of LAWs. Despite meaningful steps forward in the discussions, however, there still remains room for attaining a common ground of understanding on several key issues: the definition of LAWS, the development of autonomous technology, and humanitarian, ethical, and security concerns.
In this regard, we hold the view that the programme of work of the 2016 Experts Meeting seems quite balanced. We also believe that the bottom-up approach introduced by the Chairman will facilitate shared understanding of delicate concepts on LAWS by beginning with a deliberation on the specific characteristics.
Mr. Chairman,
We hold the position that there is no fully autonomous weapon system yet currently developed to select and attack targets independently without human intervention. However, if any such systems would be available sometime in the future, it is very clear that such weapons systems should comply with international law including international humanitarian law.
In the meantime, with the rapid development of autonomous technology, we need to further clarify the concept and scope of autonomy as well as the legality of the use of autonomous weapons systems. More importantly, we must ensure that the issues on LAWS are not examined in isolation, but in relation with the tasks performed, the types of targets engaged, and the contexts implied. In that sense, the discussion of the definition of LAWS in relation with critical issues is an essential point.
At the same time, we are of the view that the discussion on LAWS should not be carried out in a way that could hamper research and development of robotic technology for peaceful applications such as non-military use and civilian protection. As already pointed out at the previous meetings, identical technology is used for LAWS and civilian robots. In this regard, we would like to look into the dual-use characteristics of LAWS in the session on mapping autonomy.
Mr. Chairman,
While moving forward with efforts to enhance use of robots in industry, the Republic of Korea pays due attention to ethical considerations surrounding the use of robot systems for civil and military use. Accordingly, Korea is working to enact an ethics charter regarding robot technology. In this regard, humanitarian and ethical discussions at this meeting will be given due regards in Korea’s future legislation on the development, manufacture and use of robot systems.
Last but not least, we also maintain the view that LAWS should be considered hand in hand concerning the aspects of international humanitarian law and military security concerns. Therefore, we believe that the most pertinent forum to further discuss LAWS is the CCW, which is set up to strike necessary balances between humanitarian concerns and security requirements.
Mr. Chairman,
In concluding, I am confident that this meeting will provide an opportunity for a comprehensive review of the main elements of LAWS. Moreover, it is crucial that our discussion on next steps lay the recommendations for the Fifth review conference. My delegation will go along with consensus if such a consensus is reached on the establishment of the Governmental Group of Experts with a discussion mandate, preferably on the definition of LAWS. I look forward to a constructive and fruitful meeting this week, and assure you of my delegation’s full participation and engagement.
Thank you. Mr. Chairman. / END/
