Every Year, July 8 is Defense Industry Day

DAPA to Commemorate the First Deployment Date of Geobukseon as an Anniversary

The day July 8, 1592, when Admiral Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin first deployed the Geobukseon (turtle ship) in the Imjin War, is commemorated as 'Defense Industry Day.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on the 8th that July 8 will be designated as Defense Industry Day annually, and that the partial amendment to the "Act on the Development and Support of the Defense Industry (Defense Industry Development Act)" expanding the membership eligibility of the Defense Industry Mutual Aid Association has been promulgated.

On July 8, 1592, the Joseon navy deployed two Geobukseon for the first time in the Battle of Sacheon, defeating 13 Japanese ships. DAPA stated that a survey conducted among the public and defense industry companies to select an appropriate date for Defense Industry Day ranked the 'first deployment date of the Geobukseon' as number one.

The two organizations explained, "The Geobukseon is a representative example demonstrating the excellence of our country's weaponry," and "July 8 is a meaningful day when the Geobukseon, designed and built with domestic independent technology, achieved its first victory on the battlefield."

Furthermore, they expect that the establishment of Defense Industry Day will boost the pride of domestic defense industry workers and enhance the international brand image of the Korean defense industry.

Meanwhile, according to the Defense Industry Development Act to be enforced this November, the membership eligibility of the Defense Industry Mutual Aid Association will be expanded from defense companies and general companies to include research institutions such as the Agency for Defense Development. The Defense Industry Mutual Aid Association, established in 2021 to provide guarantees and mutual aid to defense companies, will allow research institutions participating as business entities to also enroll in mutual aid and insurance, enabling stable project execution.