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This photo provided by Hanwha Group on Oct.
16, 2017, shows a booth at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense
Exhibition, which kicks off at Seoul Airport, south of Seoul, on Oct. 17.
(Yonhap)
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Published : Oct 17, 2017 - 10:52
Updated : Oct 17, 2017 - 10:52
President Moon Jae-in called Tuesday for a transformation
of South Korea's defense industry to boost its exports, as well as for efforts
to develop advanced systems to enhance the country's independent defense
capabilities.
"We must widen our view to the world and form joint
communities for defense cooperation with friendly nations," the president
said in congratulatory remarks marking the start of the Seoul International
Aerospace and Defense Exhibition.
"We must break away from the current weapons
development system, which targets the South Korean military as the only buyer,
to build a system where we will jointly plan, develop and operate advanced
weapons systems with friendly nations," he added.
Such a system is apparently not unprecedented, as the
president noted the country has exported over $2.3 billion worth of
indigenously developed T-50 supersonic trainer jets over the past decade.
"The government will further strengthen its
diplomatic efforts to help boost exports by the defense industry. I believe our
government's efforts will contribute to global peace while also strengthening
the defense capabilities of friendly nations," Moon told the opening
ceremony, which was attended by a number of top defense officials from other
countries, including the defense ministers of Botswana and the United Arab
Emirates, according to the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
The president also underscored the country's need to
advance its defense systems.
"Currently, we need the power to make peace more
than ever. To this end, we urgently need to secure enhanced capabilities for
our own aerospace and defense industries," he said. "We must deploy
advanced weapons systems with superior capabilities that can protect the people
from North Korean security threats."
North Korea has staged 10 missile tests since the South
Korean president took office in May. The communist state also staged its sixth
and latest nuclear test Sept. 3.
Moon said efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the
defense industry will also help improve the livelihood of the people.
"Strengthening the competitiveness of the defense
industry will lead to more jobs, and it will be the start of the defense
industry becoming a new growth engine," the president said.
(Yonhap)
Original post: koreaherald.com
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