Domestic Production Carbine No.1 to Be Unveiled

War Memorial, Special Exhibition 'Declassified - Viewing the Firearms of the Republic of Korea Army Intelligence Command'

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] The actual 'M2 Carbine South Korea No. 1 Prototype,' previously known only through records, will be publicly displayed for the first time.

On the 29th, the War Memorial announced that starting from the 30th, it will hold a special exhibition titled 'Declassified - Viewing the Firearms of the Republic of Korea Army Intelligence Command,' showcasing 52 firearms that the Intelligence Command had stored for a long time before transferring them to the War Memorial.

The exhibits include the M2 Carbine South Korea No. 1 prototype, which had only been documented in production records. Former President Park Chung-hee, with the intention of self-reliant national defense, established the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in 1970 and urgently ordered the production of 10 M2 Carbines and 300 Mk2 grenades the following year. This was known as the 'First Lightning Project.'

The M2 Carbine being unveiled this time is one of the 10 prototypes produced during that period and is described by the War Memorial as a precious artifact representing the dawn of South Korea's self-reliant defense. Visitors can also see a variety of firearms never before displayed domestically, ranging from the 'Madsen M1937 light machine gun (Chinese licensed production)' and the 'Iraq Tariq Pistol' to the main firearms used by Germany and Japan during World War II and modern civilian self-defense weapons.

Additionally, a section introducing the preservation process that weapons undergo to transform into military artifacts will be set up, highlighting the value and significance of artifact collection and conservation science.

This special exhibition runs until March 5 of next year. It is closed every Monday, and admission is free.