‘K-Defense’ Tarnished by Domestic Ground Exhibition [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

Ground Exhibition Divided into Two Amid Rights Dispute
Defense Companies Criticize "Exhibition Reduced to Money-Making Event"

This year, domestic ground weapons exhibitions will be split into two separate events. As the number of weapons exhibitions increases, criticism arises that only defense companies suffer.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the industry on the 23rd, domestic defense exhibitions are held biennially with ADEX, centered on Air Force weapons, and MADEX, focused on maritime defense industry weapons. Regarding the Army, DX KOREA, which centers on ground weapons, was first held in 2014. IDK, the organizer of DX KOREA, has been holding the exhibition biennially in cooperation with the non-profit Army Association to receive support for Army personnel and equipment.

The problem surfaced starting in 2020 with the outbreak of COVID-19. During a live-fire demonstration in front of foreign guests, the infantry medium-range guided missile ‘Hyeongung’ misfired. DX KOREA and the Army each denied inviting foreign guests, avoiding responsibility. Army personnel participating in the exhibition were consecutively diagnosed with COVID-19. The organizers evaded responsibility, claiming the incident occurred at an outdoor exhibition site.

Financial issues were also involved. IDK had agreed to pay donations to the Army Association (150 million KRW in exhibition years, 50 million KRW in non-exhibition years) but refused to donate citing deficits, leading to disputes over interests. When the problem arose, IDK registered the trademark for ‘DX KOREA’ starting this year and decided to hold the exhibition independently. The Army Association also selected a new organizer and will hold a ground weapons exhibition under the name ‘KADEX’.

DX KOREA is scheduled to be held at Kintex in Ilsan from September 25 to 28. KADEX will open during the same period at the runway of Gyeryongdae in Chungnam. DX KOREA has not signed agreements with the Ministry of National Defense or the Army, making it difficult to invite overseas Army officials. Additionally, defense products produced by defense companies are owned by the Army, making it difficult to exhibit them. KADEX also faces issues. If held on the runway, booth installation is inadequate and will be operated with tents. Accommodation for foreign buyers is also severely lacking.

Defense companies express reluctance to participate in either event. Starting September 3, Poland, the largest customer of ‘K-Defense,’ will hold the ‘International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO).’ Following that, Australia will hold the ‘Land Forces’ exhibition from the 11th. On the same day as the domestic ground exhibition, the Philippines, the largest ‘K-Defense’ customer in Southeast Asia, will start the ‘ADAS Defense Exhibition.’ Next month, preparations must be made to participate in the AUSA exhibition in the United States, considered the world’s largest ground forces defense exhibition.

The defense industry argues that domestic exhibitions should be consolidated. In 2008, the Prime Minister’s Office instructed the military to integrate DX KOREA and Seoul ADEX as multiple military-hosted defense exhibitions were rampant, but the plan fizzled out with a change in administration. Instead, exhibitions hosted by military-related organizations have increased.

Defense industry officials said, “All domestic exhibition organizers are groups formed by retired military personnel,” and “Although these events are said to be for defense companies, they have ultimately become means of making money.”

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