Lee Jae-myung "Establish Defense Export Control Tower... Tax Credit for R&D of Export Companies"

"Actively Fostering K-Defense Talent"

Lee Jae-myung, a Democratic Party presidential primary candidate and former leader of the Democratic Party, stated on the 17th, "We will establish a new control tower for defense industry exports and regularize the presidential-hosted defense export promotion strategy meetings."

Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the Democratic Party and a presidential pre-candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea, is listening to a technology introduction by Baek Jun-ho, CEO of Puriosa AI, at Puriosa AI in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 14th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

On the same morning, Lee posted on Facebook that he aims to "make South Korea one of the top four global defense industry powers."

Lee emphasized, "K-Defense, armed with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology based on a strong manufacturing industry, is a new growth engine to overcome our economy's low-growth crisis and an important driver for increasing national wealth. To achieve this, a strengthened government-wide support system is necessary."

He also stated, "We need to reorganize the defense support policy finance system and reduce R&D tax for defense export companies to enhance the competitiveness of our firms. Additionally, support measures should be prepared to ensure that the original technologies held by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) are utilized appropriately."

He continued, "We must establish 'win-win' cooperation strategies tailored to regional characteristics such as Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India, the United States, and Latin America, and actively expand defense cooperation countries by building mutual trust through defense technology transfer and education."

Furthermore, he said, "Expanding national investment in R&D is not optional but essential to respond to battlefields that change at the speed of light in proportion to advanced science and technology. We must nurture K-Defense startups and expand special military service exemptions in the defense industry to actively cultivate K-Defense talent."

Meanwhile, on the same morning, Lee visited the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) located in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, the site of the first primary election, and held an on-site meeting.