U.S. Secretary of State Stresses Importance of Responsible Technology in Protecting Democracy at International Summit in South Korea

At a democracy summit in South Korea, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for technology to uphold democratic values. He expressed concerns that authoritarian regimes are using technology to undermine democracy and human rights. Blinken made these remarks at the ministerial conference of the third Summit for Democracy, which was organized by the United States and held in Seoul.

Blinken highlighted the importance of shaping the technological future in a way that is inclusive, respects rights, and drives progress in people’s lives. He stressed the need to ensure that technology supports democratic values and norms, especially as authoritarian and repressive regimes continue to exploit technology to undermine democracy.

During his visit to South Korea, Blinken also met with officials from both countries, including Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and President Yoon Suk Yeol, to discuss issues related to North Korea and the U.S.-South Korea alliance. President Joe Biden had originally proposed the idea of a democracy summit during his 2020 campaign, advocating for the U.S. and its allies to demonstrate the benefits of democracies over autocracies.

Overall, Blinken’s message at this summit was clear: Technology must be used responsibly if we are to uphold democratic values and ensure a better future for all people.