Page 17 - SEOUL ADEX 2023 - DAY 1

INTERVIEW

Kim Min Seok,
KAIA Vice Chairman

ADEX to be Third Largest exciting products and capabilities that our
companies have to offer. IDEX is a great
opportunity for us to showcase all the
Aerospace and Defence exciting products and capabilities that our
companies have to offer. We want to cele-
brate our companies in the best possible
Trade Show by 2025: manner.

“There is so much interest in the South
KAIA Vice Chairman Korean defence industry these days,” Min
Seok added. “This has resulted in a huge
increase in the number of international
visitors to ADEX. We get people from all
The exponential growth of the Korean organizers would have added a second over the world, especially from the United
defence industry is reflected in the growing building, further expanding the exhibition States, Europe, and Asia. This year, we sent
stature of Seoul International Aerospace space. There are plans to make the outdoor 201 invitation letters to delegations in 75
and Defence Exhibition (ADEX), the larg- exhibition area larger as well, adding more countries. We have more than 100 official
est and most comprehensive trade show space for chalets. delegations attending. We anticipate this
in Northeast Asia. year’s event to attract 300,000 visitors.”
“In 2019 and 2021, we closed bookings for
The next edition will see the event expand- indoor exhibition space in June,” said the There are two main reasons for the
ing substantially in size as well, says Korea KAIA vice chairman. “This time, we ran out eye-catching growth of the South Korean
of exhibition area space and had to close
Aerospace Industries Association (KAIA) bookings in January. The exhibition area defence industry said Min Seok. “We have
Vice Chairman Kim Min Seok. Construction has been expanded and we have a 30 % a very active industry; our association itself
of a new building for the indoor exhibition increase in the number of exhibitors. The has 120 members. Like other countries, we
area is expected to begin in November this waiting list we had this year is longer than went through a tough time during the pan-
year, soon after the curtains come down on in previous editions.” demic, but we just kept going, doing what
the current edition of the event. he had to do to make our domestic industry
The mass production of Korea Aerospace more resilient. The products that we make
“ADEX is now among the top five trade Industries’ (KAI) KF-21 Boramae is expected are proven and they are significantly less
shows in the world in terms of size,” said to commence next year. The combat air- expensive than those made in Europe or
Min Seok in an exclusive interview with craft is expected to enter service in 2026, North America.”
Daily News. “In 2025, we will become the according to the Defence Acquisition
third largest trade fair in the world after Programme Administration. The company With companies such as Boeing and Airbus
the Paris and Farnborough airshows. is also developing an unmanned version of actively pursuing Korean industry partner-
Compared to the Singapore Airshow, we its FA-50 Fighting Eagle light combat air- ships, the future is bright for domestic
have a smaller exhibit area for now, but craft to serve as a loyal wingman for the companies, said Min Seok. “Many of the
by 2025, we will have 40,000 m2 of indoor KF-21 Boramae. major international companies have a
exhibition space, compared to their 37,000 Min Seok believes the growth of the event sizable footprint here and are looking to
m2.” is testament to the speedy and sustained expand. At the end of this year or early next
growth of the country’s defence industry. year, South Korea will launch an indepen-
The new building will add 9,000 sq meters “The KF-21 Boramae is just one of the dent aerospace administration to assume
of indoor exhibition space, said Min Seok. sophisticated weapons that our indus- charge of space programs and aeronautics
The expansion plans do not end there. By try is known for,” he said. IDEX offers us research. There is a lot happening in the
the 2027 edition of the biennial event, the a great opportunity to showcase all the aerospace and defence sector.”
SEOUL ADEX 2023 OCTOBER-17-2023 17