Defense Industry Facing Emergency Situation Due to COVID-19

ADEX

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The defense industry is facing an emergency situation as gaps in COVID-19 prevention measures have been exposed. Recently, three executives and employees of the defense company Perstek tested positive for COVID-19, raising concerns that more than 1,000 defense-related personnel who had direct or indirect contact with them may be at risk.

On the 28th, an industry insider said, "After Perstek Director Choi, who tested positive for COVID-19, attended the Korea Defense Industry Association (KDIA) Mutual Aid Association meeting on the 23rd, all related personnel who had direct or indirect contact tested negative, but we are monitoring the situation as second and third confirmed cases may emerge."

At the KDIA Mutual Aid Association meeting attended by Director Choi, representatives from 14 major domestic defense companies were present. After the meeting, the executives returned to their companies. However, Director Choi, experiencing a mild fever, underwent a COVID-19 test the next day and was confirmed positive.

Perstek President Son, who had close contact with Director Choi, attended the Defense Technology Society breakfast seminar held at Lotte Hotel on the 24th. Thirty-five defense industry officials attended this event. President Son was tested for COVID-19 that day and received a positive result on the 26th.

At the same time, the 'Smart Defense Forum' was held in the large conference room on the 5th floor of the Kukmin Ilbo Building in Yeouido, Seoul, attended by Democratic Party lawmaker Seol Hoon of the National Assembly Defense Committee, KDIA Vice Chairman Na Sang-wook, and others. Also present were the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Technology Policy Division Chief, the Director of the Defense Science and Technology Academy at the Agency for Defense Development, and the Ministry of National Defense Common Power Planning Evaluation Division Chief. That afternoon, a DAPA employee working on the 6th floor of Building 3 at the Gwacheon Government Complex in Gyeonggi Province was confirmed positive for COVID-19, leading to the partial closure of some buildings.

Additionally, at lunch that day, Perstek employee Park attended a meal with external cooperation team members from 10 major defense companies. This included employees from Hanwha Group’s defense affiliates, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), LIG Nex1, Korean Air, Poongsan, Hyundai Rotem, and other major companies. Park was confirmed positive for COVID-19 that day and is currently under self-quarantine. On the same day, the Korea Defense Industry Association held the 9th 'Proud Defense Person Award Ceremony and Defense Policy Forum' at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. About 50 people attended, including Lee Sung-soo, CEO of Hanwha Defense, Professor Choi Ki-il of Sangji University, and Yoo Hyung-gon, Director of the Defense Technology Society Center.

An industry insider said, "Despite the spread of COVID-19, there is pressure to attend some defense-related seminars and meetings of defense organizations," adding, "Under these circumstances, the Defense Industry Exhibition 'DX Korea 2020' scheduled for November should be canceled, and 50% of the participation fees paid by companies should be refunded."