The Defense Acquisition Program Administration Established by the Roh Moo-hyun Government... What Was the Purpose?

The opening ceremony of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on January 1, 2006

[Kim Min-wook, Editor-in-Chief of Monthly Defense and Technology]During the Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Myung-bak administrations, much focus was placed on developing Korean-style independent models through domestic research and development rather than producing imported overseas technologies, as well as maintaining and advancing foundational systems through performance improvement projects of existing weapon systems deployed and operated in the field.

Under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, with the establishment of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), an innovative shift occurred from a protectionist nurturing approach to a market economy-oriented defense industry policy centered on openness and competition.

During the Lee Myung-bak administration, the defense industry was regarded as one of the new economic growth engines; however, oversight and supervision of the defense industry were strengthened through measures such as defense cost audits, investigations, and the promotion of legislation to prevent defense cost fraud. Under the Park Geun-hye administration, some project defects and deficiencies were considered defense industry corruption, leading to large-scale audits and investigations.

In the 2000s, the specialization and affiliation system that had formed the foundation of the defense industry was abolished, and most systems such as defense materials and defense company designation, defense cost system, and defense contract system were changed to adapt to market economy principles in line with the trend of openness and competition.

During this period, partial performance improvements were pursued for the K1A1 tank, K55 self-propelled howitzer, and KF-16 fighter jet. Research and development projects were also undertaken for the next-generation tank (Heukpyo), next-generation infantry fighting vehicle, wheeled armored vehicle, KF-X fighter jet exploratory development, KUH mobility helicopter (Surion), Ulsan-1 combat system, and Jangbogo-3 combat system. The independent development of advanced weapons demonstrated tangible results of the defense industry’s achievements in overseas exports.

To break free from the limitations of a domestic demand-centered defense industry and promote export-led growth, a fundamental shift to an open and competitive system is required. However, with the expansion of openness and competition, issues such as excessive competition and low-price bidding have arisen, necessitating improvements and supplements. Policy development that balances protection, nurturing, and competition is needed, and the government’s distrust of the defense industry, including defense costs, at that time is also evaluated as an urgent issue to be addressed.

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