[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Absence of Defense Industry Experts to Lead Arms Sector... Will Political Figures Fill the Gap Again?

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The Vice Chairman of the Defense Industry Promotion Association (DIPA), which will handle key tasks in the defense industry, and the Defense Industry Officer under the Blue House National Defense Reform Secretary are expected to be appointed soon. However, as the possibility of a 'patronage revolving-door appointment' with no defense industry experience is increasing, sighs among defense industry insiders are growing deeper.

According to industry sources on the 10th, DIPA completed the recruitment of candidates for the full-time vice chairman position by the 8th. The candidates are reported to be retired Major General Kim, retired Lieutenant General Na, and retired Lieutenant General Jung.

Major General Kim was active in the security think tank "Policy Space for National Growth" of Moon Jae-in's presidential campaign. However, controversy arose when it was revealed that he had previously made remarks in a university lecture implying that the Jeju 4.3 incident was a riot. Retired Lieutenant General Na graduated from the Korea Military Academy (3rd Military Academy) and is the only candidate not from the Army Academy. Retired Lieutenant General Jung served as the Commander of the Logistics Command. DIPA plans to hold a board meeting within this month to appoint the vice chairman from among the three candidates.

The full-time vice chairman of DIPA must represent the voices of defense companies in place of the non-full-time Chairman Choi Pyung-gyu. However, since all candidates lack defense industry experience, there are criticisms that they might just occupy the position for the three-year term without meaningful contribution.

There are also criticisms that appointments are being forced under political pressure, ignoring the realities of the defense industry. Former Military Manpower Administration Commissioner Kim Young-hoo was appointed vice chairman of DIPA after completing his term as commissioner. Also, former DIPA Vice Chairman Mo Jong-hwa was appointed commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration after serving as vice chairman. This is why industry insiders refer to these as 'revolving-door appointments' far from professionalism.

A defense industry insider said, "Because the military is the user of weapon systems, retired generals inevitably have to be selected for important positions that represent the voices of the defense industry. While defense industry experts should be appointed to implement policies, the reality is that they have no choice but to be cautious due to political pressures."

The Blue House has newly established the position of Defense Industry Officer under the National Defense Reform Secretary to handle key national tasks. This position is expected to be appointed at grade 2 or 3, with plans to appoint the new officer in line with the appointment of the new secretary. However, it is known that the Blue House is struggling to find candidates who understand the defense industry well among current senior officials and active generals. Therefore, it is rumored that candidates are being sought from security-related departments within the Blue House, such as the National Security Council (NSC).