President Lee Hosts Forum to Mark the 1st Defense Industry Day
Aims to Become One of the Top Four Defense Industry Powers...
"Government Will Invest, Support, and Pay Close Attention"
Highlights Strengthening Product Competitiveness and Building a Defense Industry Ecosystem
Participants Emphasize the Importance of AI Technology and Propose an Integrated Defense Data Management System
President Lee Jaemyung announced that the government would actively work to strengthen the competitiveness of K-defense products and build a defense industry ecosystem that allows participation regardless of company size, in line with changes in the security environment, during a forum with the defense industry held to mark the '1st Defense Industry Day.' Participants also conveyed to President Lee the urgent need for establishing an integrated management system for defense data and emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
On the afternoon of July 8, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, President Lee held the 'Defense Industry Day Forum' and stated, "The defense industry is an industry that protects the security of the Republic of Korea. Until now, it has grown mainly focused on the domestic market, but now, as our capabilities are recognized, we have become a country that exports weapon systems worldwide. I hope it will become one of Korea's future growth industries." Earlier that morning, during a cabinet meeting, President Lee instructed, "With regard to fostering the defense industry, I hope for cross-ministerial efforts in nurturing talent, investing in research and development, and expanding overseas markets." He also directed a review of establishing a new control tower to lead the goal of becoming one of the world's top four defense industry powers and regularizing the 'Defense Industry Export Promotion Strategy Meeting.'
The forum was attended by over 100 representatives from defense companies, including Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Nex1, as well as Won Junhee, President of the Defense SMEs and Venture Business Association; Lee Geonwan, Director of the Agency for Defense Development; Son Jaehong, Director of the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality; and Yoon Heeseong, President of the Export-Import Bank of Korea. From the government, Commissioner Seok Jonggeon of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and Lee Hanju, Chairman of the National Policy Planning Committee, were present. From the Presidential Office, Policy Chief Kim Yongbeom, Fiscal Policy Advisor Ryu Deokhyeon, and Chief Economic Growth Advisor Ha Junkyung attended.
President Lee emphasized that the security industry not only protects Korea's security and jobs but also plays an important role in enhancing Korea's status in the world. To this end, he stated, "Going forward, our government will make greater efforts to invest in, support, and pay attention to the defense industry so that Korea can advance as a global defense powerhouse."
President Lee also announced plans to strengthen the competitiveness of K-defense products, build a defense industry ecosystem, and enhance government support for exports. He said, "First, I believe we must strengthen the competitiveness of our K-defense products in line with changes in the security environment," and added, "On battlefields that change at the speed of light, we must develop and advance competitive weapon systems such as AI and unmanned robots. The government will look for roles it can play in this regard."
President Lee further noted, "There are concerns that the defense industry sector is currently centered on a few large companies, but there is a need to build an ecosystem where many people and companies can participate regardless of size." He continued, "Since intergovernmental cooperation is very important in the export sector, the government will do its utmost to ensure that many individuals and companies engaged in the defense industry have more opportunities by achieving security cooperation at the government level."
At the forum, participants unanimously highlighted the importance of AI technology. They also pointed out the difficulties in accessing defense data to secure technological capabilities and expressed the urgent need for an integrated management system for defense data. In addition, with the implementation of the Defense Industry Development Act, some suggested that there should be a shift in perception to treat the defense industry at the level of a 'Ministry of Defense Industry,' rather than just the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
Regarding this, spokesperson Kang Yoojeong said in a briefing after the forum, "Among the participants, startups proposed forming consortia rather than directly competing with large companies, and President Lee stated that since the defense industry requires creative and flexible thinking, opportunities should be given to small and venture businesses." Kang added, "President Lee emphasized that, as he has instructed the establishment of a control tower for defense exports, the defense industry is an important sector responsible for both security and the livelihood of the people, and the government will do its utmost to transform the ecosystem so that the public and private sectors can work together."
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