Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition (YIDEX) Opens Spectacularly in Changwon

Visit to Event Venues of 21 Foreign Defense Attaches in Korea

Bright Prospects for Overseas Exports of Small and Medium Defense Companies

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Song Jong-gu] The Admiral Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition has spectacularly opened in Changwon, Gyeongnam.

The '2022 Admiral Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition (YIDEX),' jointly hosted by Changwon Special City, the Naval Academy, and the Naval Logistics Command, and organized by the Changwon Industry Promotion Agency, was held on the 6th at the Naval Academy in Jinhae.

With the keywords of win-win cooperation among large, medium, and small defense companies and export revitalization, the Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition was attended by about 800 defense industry-related personnel from industry, academia, research, government, and military, including Hong Nam-pyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City; Lee Jong-ho, Chief of Naval Operations; Ahn Sang-min, Superintendent of the Naval Academy; Kang Hwan-seok, Deputy Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration; domestic defense system companies; medium and small enterprises; and military attach? groups from 21 countries including the Australian Defense Attach?, gathering to pledge the successful hosting of YIDEX 2022 and a hopeful future for K-defense industry.

In particular, on this day, the Navy unveiled the Turtle Ship, reconstructed and built based on records from the Imjin War era, for the first time at the pier next to the Naval Academy Museum, further illuminating the opening ceremony of the 2022 Admiral Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition (YIDEX). The enthusiasm on-site was heightened by cheers from invited guests and citizens who participated.

On the 7th, at the Academic Information Center Multipurpose Hall, the following events will take place: ▲ Export Consultation Meeting ▲ Defense Industry Innovation Cluster Open Innovation ▲ Korea-Australia Defense Industry Conference. On the 3rd and 4th days, ▲ Defense New Technology and New Product Briefings ▲ Smart Navy Conference will be held.

Throughout the event period, the Naval Academy will be open to the public. At the weapons system exhibition hall, visitors can view the Marine Corps K-9 self-propelled howitzer, K-2 tank, 2.75-inch guided rocket Bigung, K808, KAAV, K-2 tank, Hyungung, UAVs, and exhibition ammunition. Additionally, there will be ship tours, military uniform experience events, and Marine Corps specialized training VR simulator experiences, providing diverse activities for citizens.

Mayor Hong said in his opening remarks, “It is very meaningful that the ‘2022 Admiral Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition (YIDEX)’ is being held in Changwon Special City, the leading city and mecca of South Korea’s defense industry. It is an honor and a pleasure to be able to gather with representatives from all sectors of the defense industry including industry, academia, research, government, and military to share our intentions for the future development of the defense industry.”

He continued, “Despite the ongoing COVID-19 situation, industrial recession, and export downturn amid the economic crisis, this event was held to provide full support for revitalizing the defense industry and to promote the technological capabilities of small and venture companies domestically and internationally, as well as to open overseas markets. The city will do its best to support the creation of Defense Industry Specialized Complex 2.0, centered on large-scale advanced equipment and research facilities that can lead the defense industry looking ahead 30 years into the future, to lead innovation in K-defense and help South Korea’s defense industry stand tall in the global market.”