Concerns Over Ground Defense Exhibitions Tarnishing "K-Defense" Reputation [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

Ministry of National Defense Rejects Venue After Army Association's Misleading Statements
DX KOREA Exhibition Shares Similar Issues, Burdening Companies

As controversy grows surrounding domestic ground defense industry exhibitions, some point out that it is tarnishing the reputation of the Korean defense industry. The main sources of contention are the "Republic of Korea International Defense Industry Exhibition" (KADEX), hosted by the Army Association, and the DX KOREA defense industry exhibition held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. These events are held at similar times each year and are similar in nature, which is said to only increase the burden on Korean defense companies.

Until now, ground defense exhibitions have been co-hosted by the Army Association and Defense Expo Korea (IDK) under the name "DX KOREA." However, due to conflicts over exhibition operation rights and profit distribution, the two sides split, leading to a structural change. The private company DXK Co., Ltd., which had been organizing the exhibition, agreed to donate a portion of the annual exhibition profits to the Army Association under the name of the Army Development Fund. It was decided that 100 million won would be donated in even-numbered years when the exhibition is held, and 50 million won in odd-numbered years when it is not. The Army Association has used these donations as operating expenses, such as for corporate cards for executives. The association maintains that the donation amount is a business secret.

Army Association and DX KOREA Engage in Legal Dispute Over Donations

DXK Co., Ltd. changed its stance. Citing financial losses caused by COVID-19, it did not keep its donation promises. The two organizations ended up in a legal dispute. As a result, the Army Association launched "KADEX" as a new event, while the existing "DX KOREA" continued separately. Since 2024, the two ground defense exhibitions have coexisted.

At the 'International Defense Industry Exhibition of the Republic of Korea' held on the 2nd at Gyeryongdae, Chungnam Province, Hyundai Rotem's K2 tank is on display. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

The controversy continues. The Army Association, while recruiting participating companies for its exhibition, stated that "Army personnel, equipment, and budget will be provided" for the event it hosts, which sparked allegations of misinformation. It was criticized for publicizing the use of the Gyeryongdae emergency runway in Chungcheongnam-do without approval from the Ministry of National Defense, as well as for claiming military support without consulting with the Army. According to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Army Headquarters and the Army Association signed in December 2025 and obtained by Assemblyman Boo Seungchan of the Democratic Party of Korea, there is no provision stating that the Army will support the Army Association's "2026 Republic of Korea International Defense Industry Exhibition" (KADEX). The Army maintains that it has not considered whether to support KADEX 2026. The Army Association has deleted the relevant official documents and posts from its website.

Army Association Denied Use of Gyeryongdae Runway Starting This Year

The Ministry of National Defense has denied the use of the Gyeryongdae emergency runway in Chungcheongnam-do for the upcoming "Republic of Korea International Defense Industry Exhibition" (KADEX) scheduled for October. In an official notice, the ministry stated, "The KADEX 2026 website indicates that the exhibition will be held at the Gyeryongdae runway," and explained, "According to Article 30 of the State-Owned Property Act, administrative property can be used if it does not interfere with its purpose or function, but using the Gyeryongdae runway as an exhibition hall cannot be considered non-interfering with its designated use or function."

A view of the DX KOREA exhibition held in 2022 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

The same issues persist with DX KOREA. DX KOREA will be held from September 16 to 19 at KINTEX Exhibition Hall 2 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. However, problems have occurred every year. In 2020, foreign guests were invited to participate in a Hyeon-Gung missile firing demonstration. During an anti-tank weapon training session at the Yangpyeong Army Training Center that day, one Hyeon-Gung missile missed its target and exploded in a rice paddy 1.5 kilometers away from the training area. Fortunately, there were no casualties, as heavy rain had flooded the paddy and there were no residents nearby.

DX KOREA Quick to Distance Itself from Repeated Accidents

The DX KOREA organizers stated, "The DX KOREA demonstration firing event was conducted normally with foreign dignitaries in attendance at the Yangpyeong Training Center, and the live-fire training held that day was unrelated to DX KOREA," thereby distancing themselves from responsibility and drawing criticism.

That year also brought international embarrassment. Two paratroopers and one Army non-commissioned officer dispatched to DX KOREA tested positive for COVID-19. Due to one of the non-commissioned officers, another NCO in the unit was also confirmed positive. It was confirmed that they had participated in a drone demonstration at the exhibition. Despite concerns from defense companies, the exhibition, which pushed ahead under the banner of "K-quarantine," ultimately became a site for the spread of COVID-19. At the time, the DXK organizing committee promoted the establishment of a "K-quarantine pavilion" to promote "K-quarantine" exports, inviting health and welfare officials from 13 countries to showcase Korea's advanced medical system and COVID-19 response.

An industry official stated, "With the expansion of defense exports, a host of seminars and conferences have sprung up," adding, "Domestic exhibitions do not actually help sales, but retired military personnel are pressuring companies to participate, making the situation difficult."

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