[PDI Working Paper No.3] Digital Military and PKO: Dilemmas and Possibilities

Kyong Seok Ha (Senior Researcher, Ilmin International Relations Institute, Korea University)

• This paper was presented at Jiam Workshop #3.

Abstract

Technological innovation through digitalization offers new opportunity to increase the efficiency of UN peacekeeping operations (PKO) and to establish sustainable peace. However, at the same time, this new technology also create significant risk factors that can destabilize security and threaten peace activities themselves. This study examine the possibilities and risks of digital technological innovation in the context of international peace operations, especially the UN PKO, and analyzes the use of digital technology operation by the PKO with MONUSCO’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

UAV use case in the DR Congo conflict illustrates the introduction of digital surveillance capabilities’ equipment and its importance to the success of operation executions. This use of digital military technology is likely to help keep troops safe in dangerous conflicts and enforce civilian protection mandates. However, the UN should fully consider the human rights-related issue and consult with the interested parties about the potential offensive use of digital data that could diverge from the humanitarian purpose. Digital technologies, such as UAV, have many positive aspects for peacekeeping but must be used with due diligence.

Original paper (in Korean):  [PDI Working Paper No. 3] Digital Military Technology and PKO: Dilemmas and Possibilities