Yoon says S. Korea’s defense industry is writing new history

Oct 18, 2023, 09:32 am

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President Yoon Suk Yeol introduces the Korean fighter KF-21 during his congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023 held at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, south of Seoul, on Oct. 17, 2023. / Source: Yonhap News

AsiaToday reporter Hong Sun-mi

“Our defense industry is writing a new history, by creating something from nothing,” President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Tuesday at the 2023 Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, also known as Seoul ADEX, held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

“The country that once relied on assistance and imports has now jumped to the level of independently producing state-of-art fighter jets and exporting them,” he said in a congratulatory speech.

“The weapons behind me are the results of your passion and challenge,” Yoon said, introducing various aircraft and equipment such as the supersonic fighter KF-21, the country’s first exported fighter the FA-50 light attack aircraft, and the domestically developed M-SAM air defense system. “They showcase the future of our defense industry,” he said.

This year’s ADEX was attended by 116 delegations from 57 countries, including the US, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and the UK.

At the opening ceremony, the US Air Force’s B-52 strategic bomber participated in the Korea-US joint air force celebration flight, led by the Korean fighter KF-21, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the bilateral alliance and the opening of the event. It marked the first time that the B-52, which can carry nuclear weapons, has landed at a domestic air force base.

Yoon highlighted that this year’s ADEX features the participation of US forces, demonstrating the overwhelming capabilities of the South Korea-US alliance.

This year’s ADEX exhibited US strategic weapons, such as the US stealth strategic bomber B-1B Lancer, the F22 stealth jet, and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jet.

“The defense industry is a strategic national industry that supports national defense and the economy,” Yoon said, adding that the government aims to create an ecosystem that enhances global competitiveness.

“Our government actively supports the aerospace industry that will lead the new space era, with the goal of becoming one of the world’s top five space technology nations,” Yoon said. “The public and private sectors will closely collaborate to drive the advancement of the aerospace industry, with the newly established aerospace agency at its core,” he said.

#ADEX #Yoon Suk-yeol #defense industry