Held at BEXCO in Busan from May 28 to 31
As the naval power competition between the United States and China intensifies, 'International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX) 2025,' where 200 domestic and international defense companies showcase their technological capabilities, has officially opened.
The Navy, Korea International Trade Association, and Navy Association announced that the opening ceremony of MADEX 2025 was held on the morning of May 28 at the BEXCO plaza in Busan. The ceremony was attended by Navy Chief of Staff Yang Yongmo, Busan Mayor Park Hyungjun, Korea International Trade Association Chairman Yoon Jinsik, Navy Association Senior Vice President Kwon Oin, as well as representatives from the public, private, and military sectors and foreign military delegations from various countries, totaling around 300 participants.
MADEX began in 1998 as part of the Republic of Korea Navy International Fleet Review and marks its 14th edition this year. This year’s MADEX aims to promote the excellence of K-defense, support defense exports, strengthen support for defense export activities, back national policies at sea, commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Navy’s founding, and provide programs that the public can enjoy together.
This event features participation from over 200 domestic and international defense industry companies from 14 countries, displaying state-of-the-art naval weapon systems, maritime defense systems, ocean exploration and special vessel equipment, as well as maritime rescue and salvage equipment. Notably, this MADEX is being visited by more than 100 foreign delegates from 29 countries. In particular, seven countries, including Malaysia, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, have sent chiefs of staff or general-level officers.
Korean representatives, including Navy Chief of Staff Yang Yongmo and Marine Corps Commandant Joo Ilseok, will hold bilateral talks with foreign delegations attending MADEX. Through these meetings, the Navy plans to promote intergovernmental maritime security cooperation and highlight Korea’s maritime defense industry. In addition, to support defense industry exports, the Navy will organize ship tours and visits to domestic defense companies for foreign delegations, and will host a farewell dinner on the locally built Marado ship.
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of its founding, the Navy will operate a joint Navy-Marine Corps promotional pavilion at this event. The joint pavilion is designed to highlight the historical significance of the Navy’s 80th anniversary and to demonstrate the commitment to building a strong navy and a maritime powerhouse. The pavilion consists of an introduction zone that graphically illustrates the development history of the Navy and Marine Corps, and an advanced power zone featuring 3D hologram exhibits and models of manned and unmanned assets.
During MADEX, the Navy will also hold related seminars and symposiums. On May 28 and 29, the '2025 Naval Technology and Weapon Systems Seminar' will take place at BEXCO. On May 29, the '17th International Maritime Power Symposium' will be held at the Signiel Busan Hotel. On May 30, the 'Technology Cooperation Conference among the Navy, National Research Council of Science and Technology, and government-funded research institutes' will be held on the Marado ship.
The 2025 Naval Technology and Weapon Systems Seminar, involving the Navy, Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Agency for Defense Development, Defense Agency for Technology and Quality, and the Society of Naval Architects of Korea, will discuss the direction the Navy should take in a rapidly changing security environment and share the latest technological information.
The 17th International Maritime Power Symposium, hosted by the Navy, Korea Institute for Maritime Strategy, Korea Maritime Institute, Korean Association of International Studies, and universities including Sejong, Chungnam, and Hanyang, will be held under the theme "Free and Open Seas: A Powerful Voyage Toward Coexistence and Prosperity." The symposium will be attended by key figures such as Navy Chief of Staff Yang Yongmo and former US Ambassador to Korea Harry Harris, as well as around 300 other participants.
In addition, during the exhibition period from May 28 to 30, the Navy will hold military band and honor guard performances at the BEXCO plaza. On May 31, the Navy will open its warships to the general public at the Busan Operational Base, including the large transport ship Marado (LPH, 14,500-ton class) and the state-of-the-art frigate Gyeongnam (FFG-II, 3,100-ton class), and will hold Taekwondo demonstrations by Kukkiwon and military band and honor guard performances at the naval port pier.
Navy Chief of Staff Yang Yongmo stated, "The cutting-edge maritime weapon systems showcased at this year's MADEX are expected to play a key role in realizing the vision of a strong navy and a maritime powerhouse that the Republic of Korea Navy aspires to. I believe that the innovative technologies presented at this event will further enhance our Navy's combat capabilities and make a significant contribution to boosting K-defense exports."
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