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Lee Jae-myung, presidential primary candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, delivers a speech during a fair election pledge ceremony for primary candidates held at the National Assembly on April 16. / Photo by Song Ui-joo

Lee Jae-myung, a presidential primary candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, unveiled his national defense policy on April 17, vowing to elevate South Korea into one of the world’s top four defense industry powers.

“South Korea, once unable to produce even a single rifle, is now rewriting the history of K-defense every day,” Lee wrote on his official Facebook page.

Positioning K-defense alongside semiconductors, secondary batteries, and future mobility as a core pillar of the Korean economy, Lee called it a “new growth engine capable of breaking through the low-growth crisis and a key driver for enhancing national wealth.”

He stressed the need for a whole-of-government approach to support the industry, proposing the creation of a new control tower for defense exports and the regular convening of presidential-level meetings on export strategy.

To boost corporate competitiveness, Lee pledged to restructure policy financing for the defense industry, offer tax credits on R&D investments, and improve the deployment of foundational technologies held by institutions like the Agency for Defense Development.

He also proposed customized regional strategies for expanding defense partnerships across Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, India, the United States, and Latin America. “We must build mutual trust through technology transfers and education,” Lee said, noting that the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war illustrates the evolving nature of modern warfare.

Calling for an increase in national R&D spending, he emphasized that adapting to the rapidly changing battlefield is “no longer optional but essential.” His plan includes fostering K-defense startups, expanding military service exemptions for defense sector specialists, and growing defense clusters by integrating local industries and research capabilities.

“Innovation must replace imitation,” Lee concluded, asserting that South Korea’s economic future will be led by a globally dominant K-defense industry.