[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Who Is Responsible for the Corrupt Special Forces Rifle Project?

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[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The acquisition project for the 5.56mm submachine guns intended for use by our military special forces has been canceled and has not been reinitiated. In particular, although the acquisition project turned into a corrupt affair involving military secret leaks, there are no responsible personnel in charge of the project, leading to criticism that the project was pursued irresponsibly.

The project to develop the 5.56mm submachine gun began in June 2020. At that time, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) selected Company A as the preferred negotiation partner and signed a formal development contract in November of the same year. However, following an investigation by the Military Security Support Command, it was found that Company A’s CEO Mr. Kim and others received military secrets related to rifles from Mr. Song, a former Army lieutenant colonel and director in charge of sales at Company A, provided him with money and favors, and helped him get employed at the company. Subsequently, the court found the company executives and CEO guilty of leaking military secrets, and the contract was nullified.

However, the DAPA project managers who promoted this project faced no disciplinary action. The project manager at the time, Firepower Division Chief Lim Young-il, was appointed as the director of the Defense Technology Promotion Research Institute (DTPRI). His term started in January last year and lasts for three years. When the Defense Industry Technology Promotion Research Institute was launched, there were concerns in the industry that the director position would be filled by a parachute appointment related to key figures in the current government.

As the 5.56mm submachine gun acquisition project turned into a defense industry corruption case, the responsible department has scattered without even an internal audit. The Firepower Project Team was merged into the Unit Terrorism Project Department.

Some predict that the companies manufacturing rifles and those producing scopes will be separated and contracted individually. Initially, in the acquisition project, Company A and EO System (scope) participated, while competitors SNT Motiv (rifle) and Hanwha Systems (scope) also joined the bidding.

A military official stated, "We plan to review the reinitiation of the project in cooperation with the requesting forces (Army Special Warfare Command) and related agencies."

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