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9h ago

Lee Pledges Unprecedented Defense and Aerospace R&D to Reach Top-Four Status by 2030

Seoul pairs a bigger push for homegrown R&D with fast-track procurement to speed adoption, alongside a Europe-focused export drive.

Weapons systems are on display at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) under way at KINTEX in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, on Oct. 20, 2025. (Yonhap)
Weapons systems are on display at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) under way at KINTEX in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, on Oct. 20, 2025. (Yonhap)
Weapons systems are on display at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) under way at KINTEX in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, on Oct. 20, 2025. (Yonhap)
President Lee Jae Myung (R) speaks during a debate on the development of the defense industry held at KINTEX in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul, on Oct. 20, 2025, which was attended by Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon (C) and National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Overview

  • Speaking at ADEX 2025, President Lee Jae Myung vowed an unprecedented budget through 2030 for defense and aerospace research to support advanced weapon systems and space capabilities.
  • Funding will target homegrown core technologies, components and materials, with specialty semiconductors singled out to strengthen technological sovereignty.
  • The government plans policy reforms that expand a fast-track process for swift military uptake of private-sector innovations and lower entry barriers for midsized firms and startups.
  • Exhibitors at the show displayed new unmanned and AI-enhanced systems, and Lee stressed fielding domestically developed weapons in the armed forces to bolster export credibility.
  • To deepen partnerships and win deals, chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik departed for Europe to deliver Lee’s letters to counterparts, as South Korea builds on a SIPRI ranking of 10th in 2023 and rapid post-2022 export growth.