Defense Acquisition Program Administration Completes First Phase Relocation to Daejeon... "Key Policy Departments Operate in Daejeon"

The relocation of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to Daejeon has been completed in the first phase. The move to Daejeon was a regional pledge by President Yoon Suk-yeol and was realized after being finally included in the national agenda in July last year.

On the 3rd, Daejeon City and DAPA announced that from April 26 to May 2, over 240 key policy personnel, including the DAPA Administrator and Deputy Administrator, Planning and Coordination Officer, Organization and Personnel Officer, four divisions of the Defense Technology Protection Bureau, and five divisions of the Defense Industry Promotion Bureau, completed the first phase of relocation to the former Korea Racing Authority building in Wolpyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, and officially began operations in Daejeon.

DAPA is the main government agency responsible for overall defense acquisition tasks, overseeing research and development and procurement of various weapon systems, supporting defense exports, and fostering the defense industry. It has about 1,600 employees and an annual budget of approximately 17 trillion won. Daejeon City expects that with DAPA’s relocation, Daejeon will firmly establish itself as the center of K-Defense. The city anticipates synergy effects from large projects such as the creation of a defense innovation cluster within the region, the Ansan Advanced Defense Industrial Complex, and the joint establishment of an advanced defense industry belt with Chungnam Province. Additionally, the relocation is expected to facilitate the attraction of defense industry companies in both upstream and downstream sectors, increase population and talent inflow, and revitalize the local economy through strengthened cooperation with regional industries.

Lee Jang-woo, Mayor of Daejeon, stated, "Daejeon will be reborn as the forward base of K-Defense and will strive to serve as a hub that promotes South Korea’s advanced defense technology to the world together with the Ministry of National Defense and DAPA." He added, "Daejeon City will spare no support until DAPA fully relocates to the Government Complex Daejeon by 2027."

Meanwhile, on the 3rd, DAPA held a commemorative plaque ceremony for its relocation to Daejeon at the former Korea Racing Authority building. The ceremony was attended by a large number of military leaders, including Lee Jang-woo, Mayor of Daejeon; Lee Jong-seop, Minister of National Defense; Eom Dong-hwan, Administrator of DAPA; Park Jeong-hwan, Chief of Staff of the Army; Lee Jong-ho, Chief of Naval Operations; and Jeong Sang-hwa, Chief of Staff of the Air Force.