KADEX Defense Exhibition at Risk of Cancellation This Year

Ministry of National Defense: "Use of Gyeryongdae Airfield Not Permitted"

Industry Voices Concerns Over Proliferation of Exhibitions Like DX KOREA

The "Korea International Defense Industry Exhibition" (KADEX 2026), hosted by the Army Association, is facing the risk of being canceled this year. This is because the Ministry of National Defense has decided not to permit the use of the Gyeryongdae runway, which is the intended venue for the exhibition.

On the 2nd, Hyundai Rotem's K2 tank was exhibited at the "Korea International Defense Industry Exhibition" held at Gyeryongdae, Chungnam. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

The Army Association had planned to hold the defense industry exhibition at Gyeryongdae from October 6 to 10, with 450 domestic and international companies participating. However, as the Ministry of National Defense has decided not to approve the use of the venue, the association is struggling to come up with countermeasures.

On April 16, the Ministry of National Defense stated, "According to Article 30 of the State Property Act, permission for use of administrative property can be granted only if it does not interfere with the property's intended use or purpose. However, we have notified the Army Association (through an official document) that using the Gyeryongdae runway as an exhibition site cannot be considered free of such interference, and therefore, permission is restricted." The ministry added, "All requests for use, including those from the Army Association, can only be approved within the scope of Article 30 of the State Property Act. We are currently preparing an internal audit regarding the approval granted for use of the Gyeryongdae runway in 2024." Although the Army Association hosted KADEX at the Gyeryongdae runway in 2024 with the Ministry's approval, the ministry's judgment has changed this time.

Domestic ground defense exhibitions have faced controversy every year. This is due to the "Korea International Defense Industry Exhibition" (KADEX), hosted by the Army Association, and "DX KOREA," held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Since both exhibitions are held around the same time each year and have similar characteristics, it is argued that this only increases the damage suffered by Korean defense companies.

Regarding this, the Army Association stated, "We deeply regret the (Ministry of National Defense) official document restricting the use of the Gyeryongdae runway, the intended venue for KADEX 2026," and added, "We are currently reviewing whether the Ministry's unilateral notification is legally valid."

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