Overview

• At the inaugural K-Defense Day debate in Seoul on July 8, Lee directed Cabinet members to review establishing a pan-government control tower to coordinate defense industry growth.
• He committed to expand R&D funding for AI-driven and unmanned weapons systems to maintain a technological edge in modern battlefields.
• He vowed to broaden the defense sector’s industrial ecosystem by supporting firms of all sizes, addressing the dominance of major conglomerates.
• Lee highlighted a recent 8.8 trillion won K2 tank export deal with Poland as evidence of South Korea’s emerging role as a top-ten global arms supplier.
• The president instructed that regular, presidential-led Cabinet meetings will monitor talent development, research investment and arms export strategies across ministries.