South Korea to Develop more Manned and Unmanned Weapons

Our Bureau - : Oct 20, 2025 - : 9:59 pm

South Korea vowed to develop and modernize manned and unmanned weapons systems, a defense official said, as the country formally opened its largest-ever arms fair.

Seok Jong-gun, minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, told parliament that while expanding South Korea’s defense export markets in cooperation with the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and other partners, the agency is focused on developing and modernizing both manned and unmanned weapons systems.

“We will pursue entry into the global supply chain by expanding cooperation with the U.S. in defence shipbuilding," he said.

Earlier, Beijing imposed sanctions on South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean units in response to U.S. efforts to revive its shipbuilding industry under President Donald Trump. In addition to the sanctions, both the United States and China have introduced new port fees for vessels docking at each other’s ports.

In response, South Korea is assessing how the sanctions might affect Hanwha’s companies and related South Korean industrial sectors.

South Korea and the U.S. are strengthening shipbuilding ties to counter China’s global dominance in the industry.

Jong-gun made the remarks just days before the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025, South Korea’s premier defense trade show, officially opened on Friday, October 17 at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, south of the capital. The second phase of the event will be held at KINTEX in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, starting Monday, October 20.

Known as the largest aerospace and defense trade exhibition, ADEX

aimed at boosting export opportunities for domestic defense products and promoting technology exchange with global manufacturers.

Around 600 companies from 35 countries, are participating the exhibition, organizers said, showcasing advanced military hardware and technologies.