President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to defense industry growth, emphasizing the goal of becoming a top four global defense power. At the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2025 in Goyang, he described this ambition as “by no means an impossible dream.”
Moreover, Lee announced plans to invest heavily in defense and aerospace research and development through 2030. He explained that the government will secure key technologies and weapons systems while advancing Korea’s independent space capabilities. Additionally, he will develop defense-specific semiconductors to ensure technological sovereignty.
The Seoul ADEX 2025 brought together over 500 domestic and international defense and aerospace industry leaders. As a result, the event showcased Korea’s growing status as a defense powerhouse. This position reflects more than $17 billion in arms sales in 2022 and over $4 billion in 2023.
Lee also stressed that Korea must adopt advanced technologies faster. Consequently, he introduced a fast-track system to integrate new innovations quickly into military operations. Simultaneously, he pledged to lower entry barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups to enable active participation in the defense and aerospace sectors.
South Korea has transformed from a buyer of foreign weapons into one of the top five global defense exporters. Building on this foundation, Lee emphasized expanding global partnerships. He also urged presenting Korea as a trusted security partner worldwide, not merely an arms exporter.
Additionally, Lee highlighted the need for self-reliant defense and confirmed plans to increase the defense budget, currently 61.2 trillion won and projected to rise to 66.3 trillion won next year. He stated that raising defense spending will strengthen national security and stimulate industrial growth.
Finally, he reaffirmed that defense industry growth must become a cornerstone of Korea’s economy. Therefore, he called for localization, market diversification, and global outreach. With strong leadership and sustained investment, South Korea can secure a top global defense ranking by 2030.
