Are Our Drones and AI Ready for Modern Warfare? Insights from the Iran Conflict

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Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee, will co-host the first deliberative session of the Sidae Forum on May 20 at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building. The event is jointly organized by Rep. Yoo’s office and Donghaeng Media The Times, with the Korea Defense and Security Forum (KODEF) serving as program organizer. The forum’s theme is \”Questions From the Iran War: Are Our Drones and AI Ready?\”

With drones and artificial intelligence emerging as decisive tools in recent conflicts—particularly those involving Iran and the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war—the forum aims to evaluate South Korea’s drone and counter-drone capabilities and to map out AI-driven defense innovations using real battlefield examples.

Low-cost suicide drones and AI-enabled weapon systems are increasingly capable of degrading advanced air-defense networks and changing warfare’s operational calculus. The forum will convene in-depth discussions on what strategic responses the military and government must prepare.

The opening presentation will be delivered by Professor Song Seung-jong of Daejeon University, who will offer an analysis of the international dynamics surrounding the Iran conflict and projections for future developments. Yang Uk, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, will examine the weapon systems used in the Iran conflict, how AI has been integrated, and implications for defense AI policy and institutional reform. Ryu Young-gwan, vice president of Pablo Aviation, will outline the government’s role in building out military drone capabilities.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Lee Sang-eon, director of the Era Institutional Reform Research Institute. Panelists include Cho Sang-geun, research professor at KAIST; Park Geun-young, director of the Advanced Technology Projects Division at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration; and Jang Byung-chul, senior vice chairman of the Korea Large Drone Industry Association. They will debate paths for developing drone and counter-drone systems and recommend national response strategies.

Rep. Yoo said, \”The Iran conflict has made starkly clear how low-cost, high-effectiveness drones and AI-enabled weapon systems can neutralize advanced air defenses.\” He added, \”It is urgent that our armed forces secure independent capabilities in drones, counter-drone systems, and defense AI. I expect this forum to generate concrete defense policy directions and institutional reforms, and as a member of the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, I will do my utmost to provide legal and institutional support.\”