[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Aftermath of the Forceful 'DX KOREA 2020'

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The aftermath of 'DX KOREA 2020' held this year is growing serious.

At the shooting training site for the infantry medium-range guided weapon 'Hyeongung' conducted by the Army, an accidental firing occurred, and Army soldiers who participated in the exhibition were diagnosed with COVID-19.

According to the military on the 26th, on the 10th, at the Army Yangpyeong Comprehensive Training Center, while unit members belonging to this training center were conducting anti-tank weapon shooting training, one 'Hyeongung' missile went off target and exploded in a rice paddy about 1.5 km away from the training ground. Fortunately, there were no casualties as heavy rain had filled the paddy with water and there were no residents near the explosion site. At the time, the event was held with foreign guests attending 'DX KOREA 2020'.

DK Korea Co., Ltd. stated, "The DX Korea demonstration shooting event was normally conducted on the 11th at the Yangpyeong training center with overseas guests in attendance, and the shooting training on that day is unrelated to DX Korea." The Army explained, "The training was already planned regardless of the foreign guests' attendance." In the end, although foreign guests attended the site where the accident occurred, the organizer who invited them was effectively absent. Due to the accident, the demonstration shooting training held on the 11th at the Yangpyeong training center proceeded only with maneuver training, excluding shooting.

Two paratroopers dispatched by the Army to 'DX KOREA 2020' and one Army non-commissioned officer tested positive for COVID-19. One additional non-commissioned officer in the unit was also confirmed positive due to contact with the infected NCO. It was confirmed that they demonstrated drones at the exhibition.

Despite concerns from defense companies, the exhibition, which was pushed forward under the banner of K-quarantine, ultimately became a source of COVID-19 spread. The DXK Organizing Committee had promoted the opening of a K-quarantine pavilion to showcase Korea's excellent medical system and COVID-19 response by inviting health and welfare officials from 13 overseas countries to promote K-quarantine exports.

Defense companies participating in the exhibition had expressed concerns. Goyang City, where the venue is located, raised the social distancing level to 1.5 from the 16th, limiting the number of people to one per 4㎡ (approximately 1.21 pyeong). If a COVID-19 case occurs inside the venue, the corporate image would inevitably suffer.

Three high-ranking military officials from Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria who entered the country to attend DX Korea were consecutively diagnosed with COVID-19 during testing upon entry (on the 16th). As a result, only officials from 12 countries, including UAE (United Arab Emirates), France, and Indonesia, excluding those from countries with confirmed cases, attended. Considering that 28 countries participated in the biennial DX Korea in 2018, this is about half the number.

Meanwhile, the private company DXK Co., Ltd. donates a portion of the profits earned from the exhibition each year to the Army Association as an Army Development Fund. DXK maintains that the amount donated to the Army Association is a business secret. The Army Association also appoints the incumbent Army Chief of Staff as vice president of the association and chairman of the DX Korea Promotion Committee after their term ends. This year, former Army Chief of Staff Kim Yong-woo served as the chairman of the promotion committee.

An industry insider said, "The problem is that the DX Korea exhibition, which was postponed once due to COVID-19 this year, was pushed forward despite opposition from defense companies," adding, "There is concern that the image of the country and companies will only worsen as participants reluctantly attended while watching the situation."