Jeonnam Province Accelerates Building Defense Space and Defense Industry Ecosystem

Over 150 Experts, Companies, and Residents Participate in Symposium
Discussions on Building a Defense Industry Ecosystem Including Aerospace and Materials Parts Sectors

Jeollanam-do held the 2025 Jeonnam Defense Industry Promotion Symposium on the 23rd at the Goheung Sunvalley Resort. Photo by Jeonnam Province

On the 23rd, Jeonnam Province held the 2025 Jeonnam Defense Industry Promotion Symposium at the Goheung Sunvalley Resort, where participants discussed strategic measures for fostering the defense industry in Jeonnam and ways to expand its role in the national defense and space sectors.

Jeonnam Province is currently focusing on developing its defense industry by leveraging the strengths of Goheung's space launch vehicle cluster, the aerospace industry, and the specialized materials and parts industry in the Gwangyang Bay area. This comes at a time when the importance of defense industries that integrate advanced scientific technologies such as space, artificial intelligence (AI), and drones has rapidly increased, especially in light of recent conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran-Israel war.

Following the first defense industry symposium held in Suncheon in November last year, about 150 participants?including defense industry experts, local defense companies, related organizations, and residents?gathered in Goheung to share the latest trends in the defense industry and continue discussions under the slogan, "The Beginning of a Defense Space Powerhouse, The Future of the Space Defense Industry."

In the keynote lecture, Lee Jungseok, Deputy Director of the Agency for Defense Development, emphasized the importance of decentralizing the defense industry and regional cooperation, speaking on the topic of "The Future of Advanced Defense Industry and Regional Strategies."

During the thematic presentation, Yoon Sunjung, a researcher at the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality, introduced the standard system for the national defense space sector under the theme "Quality Management Measures for Defense Space," and stressed that securing technological capabilities is a core element of competitiveness in the defense industry.

Jeonnam Province also presented four major strategies and twelve specific tasks under the theme "Current Status and Promotion Strategies for the Jeonnam Defense Industry," aiming to establish Jeonnam as a new hub for K-Defense.

The core strategy is to attract a defense industry innovation cluster project, funded by 24.5 billion KRW in national funds, centered on Suncheon and Goheung (Ministry of Defense Acquisition Program Administration).

To this end, Jeonnam Province is preparing to apply for the project, aiming to create a national defense space industry ecosystem based on its aerospace and materials parts industries. In previous years, the Defense Industry Innovation Cluster was designated in Changwon, Gyeongnam in 2020; Daejeon (specialized in drones) in 2022; and Gumi, Gyeongbuk (manned-unmanned complex systems) in 2023.

In the case study session, local defense companies shared real examples of success. Paru Electronics presented its development of a space heater for defense satellites, while WithPS showcased its technology development and mass production achievements through government-supported projects, demonstrating the potential for local root companies to enter the defense industry.

The comprehensive discussion featured six experts in the national defense and space sector. Yang Hyunsang, Director of the Korea Institute for Defense Convergence Technology, served as moderator, leading a lively debate on the future prospects of the defense space industry, Jeonnam's role in response to changes in government policy, and strategies for local companies to participate.

Kim Byungseong, Director of New Growth Industries at Jeonnam Province, stated, "The defense industry has become established not only as a matter of national security but also as a national strategic industry. Based on our strengths in aerospace and materials parts industries, we will strengthen cooperation with local companies and related organizations to develop Jeonnam into a central hub for the national defense space industry."