Lee Posts Aviation, Defense, and Space Industry Pledges on Facebook
Formation of State-led K-Airport Integrated Export Consortium
K-UAM Commercialization Timeline to Become Reality... "Will Accelerate Progress"
Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, has announced his policy pledges for the aviation, defense, and space industries. He stated his intention to seek new growth opportunities by strengthening the competitiveness of the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry, supporting the export of the K-Airport model, and fostering the K-UAM (Urban Air Mobility) industry.
On May 10, Lee posted his aviation, defense, and space industry pledges on his Facebook page. He emphasized, "The aviation, defense, and space industries are core high-tech future industries that create high added value and quality jobs," adding, "I will make Korea a powerhouse in the aviation, defense, and space sectors."
Lee promised to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic aviation MRO industry and nurture related sectors. He said, "We will localize aviation maintenance parts and support research and development (R&D) in the aviation field to strengthen technological capabilities." He also mentioned, "We will devise measures to lower the cost of aircraft parts through joining international agreements and revising customs laws." He pledged to develop Sacheon and Incheon as specialized regions, with Sacheon focusing on military aircraft and parts manufacturing, and Incheon as a hub for overseas integrated MRO operations.
He also unveiled plans to form a state-led consortium to enable the integrated export of airport industries?including construction, operation, and services?based on the experience of Incheon International Airport.
Lee outlined plans to foster the K-UAM industry as well. He stated, "We will make the commercialization timeline for K-UAM, which was only showcased by the previous administration, a reality and accelerate business implementation." He added, "We will actively promote the Gimpo Airport Innovation District as a UAM hub, expand national support for K-UAM local government pilot projects, and increase support for public shuttle, tourism, and public demonstration projects."
He also pledged to promote technological self-reliance and expand exports in the defense industry, promising to: ▲ foster upstream and downstream industries such as aircraft, missiles, and satellites based on AI technology; ▲ localize materials and parts for the defense industry; ▲ develop next-generation fighter jets following the KF-21 and domestically developed aircraft engines; and ▲ provide R&D tax credits for defense industry export companies.
Lee stated he would strengthen support for the Gyeongnam Aerospace National Industrial Complex. He said, "We will greatly expand R&D across the entire space industry to achieve technological capabilities on par with advanced countries." He continued, "We will complete the Korea Aerospace Administration headquarters at an early stage, actively support the creation of residential environments so that outstanding talent and companies can gather in Jinju and Sacheon, and further develop the launch vehicle industry in Goheung."
Lee declared, "With the Boramae Project, which began thanks to the determination of the late President Kim Daejung, the Korean fighter jet KF-21 is now protecting Korea's skies." He added, "Building on the decisions that opened the skies, we will now open a new path toward space."
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