Page 144 - 2018 Defense White Paper

cooperation off icials who are specialists in international defense industrial cooperation.

Furthermore, defense industry exhibitions, such as the Seoul International Aerospace &
Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX) and International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition
(MADEX), are being held to promote the products of domestic defense f irms and create

business opportunities.
The 2017 Seoul ADEX provided a “venue for international defense industrial cooperation” as
78 high-ranking defense off icials from 53 countries attended the event. The exhibition attracted

280,000 visitors with a record high of 405 companies participating in the event, resulting in
business deals and consultations for projects worth USD 18.8 billion altogether. The Seoul
ADEX served as a momentum to develop the domestic aerospace and defense industry into an

export-oriented global industry.
The government will continue its efforts to transform the structure of the defense industry into
an export-oriented one and expand defense exports while also proactively creating requirements,
such as the localization of core parts, to contribute to job creation so as to allow the defense

industry to become a new growth engine for the ROK economy.

Air Force Black Eagles 2017
promotional video Seoul ADEX

142 Chapter 4 Building Elite Armed Forces Using Advanced Technology