Gumi University of Science and Technology RISE Project Group Hosts '2025 Regional and University Joint Defense Industry Development Forum'

The 14th Proud Defense Industry Person Award Ceremony Held
Sharing Strategies on Defense Industry Policy, Industry, and Technology

Gumi University of Science and Technology (President Kwak Hosang) hosted the '2025 Regional and University Joint Defense Industry Development Forum' to share strategies on defense industry policy, the industry itself, and the latest technologies, as well as to foster a close-knit network among related organizations.

This forum, co-organized by the Gumi University of Science and Technology RISE Project Group (Acting Director Kwon Ohyung) and the Korea Defense Industry Association (Chairman Chae Wooseok), was held on September 11 at Cheongundae Hall of Gumi University of Science and Technology. Over 100 participants, including members of the Korea Defense Industry Association, local defense companies, local governments, and related organizations, attended the event. The program included lectures on defense industry policy and the 14th Proud Defense Industry Person Award Ceremony.

Group photo after the '2025 Regional and University Joint Defense Industry Development Forum' and the 14th Proud Defense Industry Person Award Ceremony / Photo by Kim Ihwan

The forum featured keynote presentations on: ▲Defense Industry Policy Development [Colonel Kim Serang, Defense Acquisition Program Administration] ▲A Defense Industry Platform for Gyeongbuk Province [Professor Park Hongseok, Gumi University of Science and Technology] ▲Development Strategies for Maritime Unmanned Systems [Song Haseok, Head of Marine Research Institute, Hanwha Systems] ▲Development Strategies for Unmanned Surface Vehicles and Command & Control Systems [Yoo Jaegwan, Head of Robot Research Institute, LIG Nex1] ▲Strategies for Small and Medium Enterprises to Participate in the Defense Industry [Choi Hyuncheol, CEO, Daon Co., Ltd.]. In the subsequent panel discussion, experts from academia, industry, research, and the military explored ways to build an innovative defense industry ecosystem and discussed strategies for advancing the defense sector.

Currently, Gumi University of Science and Technology is taking a leading role in defense industry innovation through the 'G-DIU (Gyeongbuk Defense Innovation Unit)', which is modeled after the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit but adapted to Korea's defense industry structure and regional characteristics.

To lower the entry barriers for companies in the defense sector, Gumi University of Science and Technology operates the G-DIU as an open lab. Through this, the university expects to strengthen the competitiveness of local defense companies and expand opportunities for student participation in related projects.

Meanwhile, the 14th Proud Defense Industry Person Award Ceremony was also held during the forum.

The main Defense Industry Award was posthumously given to Shim Muntak, former Director of the Agency for Defense Development. Special Achievement Award went to Kim Jangho, Mayor of Gumi, in recognition of his contributions to attracting the Defense Innovation Cluster and supporting local small and venture defense companies.

Additionally, the Defense Management Award was presented to Lee Myeongno, CEO of Solid Wintech; the Defense Technology Award to Kim Seokgi, Vice President of Poongsan Co., Ltd.; and the Defense Academic Award to Professor Park Hongseok of Gumi University of Science and Technology.

Kwon Ohyung, Acting Director of the RISE Project Group at Gumi University of Science and Technology, stated, "I hope that the various defense industry innovation strategies and collaboration plans shared at the forum will contribute to fostering local talent and revitalizing the defense industry ecosystem. We will strive to ensure that the regional defense innovation cooperation model proposed by Gumi University of Science and Technology plays a pivotal role in advancing the defense industry and enhancing the self-reliance of defense technologies."

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