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2mo ago

South Korea Pledges Massive Defense R&D to Reach Top-Four Status by 2030

The push seeks technological sovereignty to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

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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)

Overview

  • At the ADEX 2025 opening, President Lee Jae Myung vowed unprecedented government spending through 2030 on defense and aerospace R&D to secure future weapon systems and space capabilities.
  • Funding will prioritize homegrown core technologies, components and materials, with a focus on defense-grade specialty semiconductors to establish technology sovereignty.
  • The administration announced procurement reforms by expanding a fast-track pathway for rapid military uptake of private-sector innovations and by lowering entry barriers for midsized firms and startups.
  • ADEX 2025 opened its business session at record scale with 600 companies from 35 countries and a roughly 58 percent expansion of indoor exhibition space, showcasing AI-enabled unmanned systems.
  • Export outreach intensified as Lee’s chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik, departed for Europe to pursue large defense deals and deliver letters seeking deeper industry partnerships.