"Protect Defense Technology"... Defense Acquisition Program Administration and National Intelligence Service Publish Export Guidebook

Guide Containing Precautions for Each Export Stage
Defense Acquisition Program Administration and National Intelligence Service Also Revise Export Regulations

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] A step-by-step guide to support the export of defense industry technology has been prepared.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on the 7th that it jointly published a step-by-step technology protection guide for defense industry technology exports with the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Defense industry technology refers to defense science and technology related to the defense industry that must be protected for national security, designated and announced by the head of DAPA in accordance with Article 7 of the Defense Industry Technology Protection Act.

KF-21 Prototype Fighter Jet Delivery Ceremony Photo by Yonhap News

According to DAPA, South Korea's defense exports have so far been mainly focused on materials, but recently, defense exports accompanied by technology exports are increasing. Accordingly, the guide includes matters that business personnel must check and pay attention to when exporting defense technology. The guide contains a Q&A format covering the items and precautions that defense companies must check when exporting technology overseas. The export stages are divided into preparation for technology export, contract conclusion, implementation, and termination.

The guide is scheduled to be distributed to all defense companies within this month and can be viewed on the websites of DAPA, NIS, and the Defense Industry Promotion Association.

DAPA and NIS plan to revise regulations related to technology exports based on the publication of this guide. Kwon Young-chul, Director of the Defense Technology Protection Bureau at DAPA, said, "We published the guide with the NIS to support the recently increasing technology exports," adding, "We hope to create conditions to prevent leakage and infringement accidents of defense technology by defense companies and to continuously sustain defense exports."

An NIS official stated, "We hope this guide will help protect our defense technology, enhance the international competitiveness of the defense industry, and help South Korea rise as one of the world's top four defense export powers."