According to a report on Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao website on October 20th, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said that he would invest more than expected budget for defense and aerospace research by 2030, with a view to building the fourth largest defense industry system in the world.

Lianhe Zaobao quoted Reuters as saying that Li Zaiming made the above speech at the 2025 Seoul International Aerospace and Military Exhibition (ADEX) on the 20th.

This is the largest arms exhibition in South Korea's history.The exhibition companies showcase new unmanned weapons such as grenade guns to suicide drones, as well as artificial intelligence-enhanced weapons, hoping to expand the global defense sales market.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) database of the world's 100 largest arms merchants, by 2023, South Korea was ranked 10th in the world in arms sales.

Li said: ¡°It is not an unattainable dream to be the fourth largest defence power in the world.We will establish technological sovereignty by focusing on independently developing key technologies, parts and materials, such as dedicated semiconductors in the defence field.¡±

He also showed that South Korea¡¯s commitment to sharing with overseas defense partners not only arms systems, but also technology and experience for building an industrial base.

According to reports, in the past three years, arms have become one of South Korea's fastest growing exports. Exported weapons and equipment cover howitzers, ammunition, missiles, warships, etc., and global sales have reached billions of dollars.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee Jae-myung also attended a seminar on the development of defense industry on the 20th. At the meeting, he indicated that the people should be made aware that South Korea's national defense should be borne by South Korea itself, and South Korea is fully capable of undertaking it.

Original title: "Lee Jae-myung declares that South Korea wants to become the fourth largest defense power in the world"

Column editor-in-chief: Shi Wei

Edited by: Fuji

Author of this article: Reference message mobile terminal

Source: The New York Times