Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Defense Minister Lee Jong Sup hosts the 4th meeting for planning

In a materialization phase… realistically and practically

Empathy and strong will, required to overcome challenges

On the 16th, Defense Minister Lee Jong Sup (middle) is presiding over the 4th meeting to establish a plan for ‘Defense Innovation 4.0’ at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan, Seoul. From left, Navy Chief of Staff Lee Jong-ho, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Seung-gyeom, Minister Lee, Army Chief of Staff Park Jung-hwan, and Air Force Chief of Staff Chung Sang-hwa. Courtesy of the Ministry of Defense

Minister of National Defense Lee Jong Sup emphasized, “In order to overcome numerous challenges within the future domestic and foreign defense circumstances, sympathy and strong will for implementation from defense officials are required.”

The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 17th that Minister Lee said so while pointing out the importance of establishing a basic plan for Defense Innovation 4.0 at the 4th meeting for planning Defense Innovation 4.0 held at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul the day before.

The meeting was to discuss the detailed plan for Defense Innovation 4.0 that has been developed so far with Minister Lee and key military officials, forming a consensus.

About 60 people attended the meeting, including Vice Minister Shin Beom-cheol, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Seung-gyeom, Army Chief of Staff Park Jung-hwan, Navy Chief of Staff Lee Jong-ho, Air Force Chief of Staff Chung Sang-hwa, ROK-US Combined Forces Command Deputy Commander An Byeong-seok, Marine Corps Commander Kim Tae-seong, Defense Acquisition Program Administration Director Eom Dong-hwan, and Defense Science Research Institute Director Park Jong-seung.

Minister Lee mentioned the need for sympathy and strong will from defense officials and added, "I think that today's discussion will serve as a foundation for the successful implementation of Defense Innovation 4.0," adding “A complete plan is required to make the innovation realistic and practical as the Defense Innovation 4.0 Basic Plan has reached the materialization stage.

In the meantime, the National Defense Reform Office led the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Defense Agency, and each military units to devise basic concepts and identify 5 major fields and 16 tasks. Since last July, meetings have been held every month to △remarkably strengthen its capabilities to respond to North Korean nuclear and missile threats, △develop military strategies and operational concepts, △secure artificial intelligence (AI)-based core state-of-the-art military power, △innovate military structures and trainings, and △set the major focus for promotion such as defense research and development (R&D) and power reinforcement system redesign. Also, goals, promotion concepts, and detailed tasks for each task were established, and annual implementation plans were specified.

At the 4th meeting that day, based on the outcomes of the previous meeting, short-term, mid-term, and long-term plans were specified, considering the target year of 2040, and the connection between tasks was strengthened, developing them into more practical and effective plans. Moreover, the level of completion of Defense Innovation 4.0 was upgraded by opinion collection and discussions with key military officials.

Based on the outcomes of this meeting, the Ministry of National Defense will complete the basic plan through reviewing the necessary specifications for the promotion of Defense Innovation 4.0 and the requirements for law enactment and amendment in the future.

Furthermore, by the end of this year, the MND will establish the Defense Innovation 4.0 Basic Plan and collect expert opinions through forums and TV panel discussions etc. to strengthen communication with soldiers and the public.

Legislative Notice on the Establishment and Operation of the National Defense Innovation Committee

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense announced ‘Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of the Defense Innovation Committee’ on the 10th to support the implementation of Defense Innovation 4.0. According to the regulations, the National Defense Innovation Committee will be chaired by the President of the ROK. In addition, it consists of less than 10 members, including the head of the National Security Office and the Minister of Nation Defense, as well as individuals with broad expertise and experience related to defense innovation. The second deputy chief of the National Security Office serves as an assistant to support the tasks of the committee.

The National Defense Innovation Committee will last for four years after its launch, and lead the successful implementation of defense innovation with the aim at strengthening the military power in terms of science and technology. The committee, especially regarding defense innovation, will review and coordinate issues such as △establishment of basic plans, △progress performance and future plans, △policy coordination between government ministries, △public-private-military collaboration, and △law enactment and amendment, system improvement, and budget securing.

By Hyun-woo, Seo <lgiant61@dema.mi.kr>

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