Yoon: "Defense Industry, Creating Something from Nothing... Will Establish Cooperative Systems with Allied Countries" (Comprehensive)

President Yoon Attends Korea's Largest Space and Defense Industry Exhibition
"Defense Industry, a National Strategic Industry Supporting Security and Economy"
Promises Policy Support While Announcing Cooperation Framework with Allies

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 17th, "Defense industry cooperation is expanding beyond mere arms exports to include equipment and parts supply, training, and joint research and development," adding, "We will build a defense security cooperation system by sharing the growth experience of the defense industry with allied countries." In particular, President Yoon promised policy support for the AI (artificial intelligence) digital foundation of military operations and the development of future air mobility technologies.

On the same day, President Yoon attended the opening ceremony of the 'Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX)' held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and remarked, "Our defense industry is creating something out of nothing and writing a new history."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of 'Seoul ADEX 2023' held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on the 17th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the armed forces and the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance, this year's ADEX, planned as the largest ever, saw participation from government officials in aviation and defense from 57 countries. There were 550 companies in total, including 203 overseas companies from 34 countries, making it a platform for 'K-Defense' to leap into the world's top four defense exporters.

President Yoon also evaluated at the event, "Our country, which once depended on aid and imports, has now advanced to the level of producing and exporting cutting-edge fighter jets." He then expressed the government's commitment to supporting the defense industry. President Yoon emphasized, "The defense industry is a national strategic industry that supports both security and the economy," and said, "The government has presented the advanced strategic industrialization of the defense industry as a national agenda and has strived to strengthen the growth foundation of the defense industry."

Earlier this year, the government established a dedicated organization for defense industry exports within the National Security Office and built a whole-of-government defense export cooperation system, including the 'Defense Export Strategy Evaluation Meeting' led by the National Security Office. President Yoon has also included defense and security cooperation as a core agenda in meetings with heads of state during his ongoing overseas visits, laying the groundwork for exports.

At the Defense Export Strategy Meeting he chaired last year, he directly unveiled a blueprint to "expand defense exports into industrial cooperation in areas such as nuclear power and construction by establishing a whole-of-government defense export support system." Riding on the strong export performance of defense companies, the government aims to develop the defense industry not just as a security matter but as a major export industry. The scope of government support is also expanding, focusing on "improving conditions for corporate research and investment."

On this day as well, President Yoon said, "The government will create an ecosystem where our defense industry can continuously grow and enhance its global competitiveness." Specifically, he identified 'aerospace technology' and 'AI digital technology' as key to winning in future battlefield environments and previewed, "We will build a defense security cooperation system by sharing the growth experience of our defense industry with allied countries."

Centered on the soon-to-be-established 'Aerospace Administration,' he promised close public-private cooperation to drive the leap of the aerospace industry. President Yoon said, "Our government is actively supporting the aerospace industry, which will lead the New Space era, aiming to become one of the world's top five space technology powers," adding, "We will accelerate the AI digital foundation of military operations and spare no policy support for the development of future air mobility technologies."

Meanwhile, the government estimates the business-related consultation amount at this event to be around 33 trillion won. This reflects growing domestic and international interest in K-Defense, with 116 delegations from 57 countries participating, including senior military officials from promising defense export countries, acquisition project managers, CEOs of defense companies, and buyers. Compared to 66 delegations in 2021, this is an increase of over 75%. A government official said, "In preparation for the rapidly changing international security environment and unstable security situation, South Korea's defense industry has achieved remarkable accomplishments," adding, "Since achieving a record-high export amount of 17.3 billion dollars last year, the government and companies are working together to drive the sustainable growth of K-Defense."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is watching a high-altitude parachute demonstration at the opening ceremony of 'Seoul ADEX 2023' held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on the 17th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.