Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

A review meeting was hosted by Defense Minister Shin Won Sik

Laws and systems related to military force enhancement were revised

ROK 3K Defense was strengthened by launching reconnaissance satellite No. 2

Service conditions for junior officers were further improved

Defense Minister Shin Won Sik (in the middle) makes opening remarks for the Defense Innovation 4.0 Assessment Meeting for the first half of 2024 at the Defense Ministry on July 1. At the meeting, achievements in the first half of the year were evaluated with a focus on 10 tasks of Defense Innovation 4.0. From the left, Navy Chief of Staff Yang Yong-mo, Special Advisory Committee for Defense Innovation Deputy Chairman Lee Sun-jin and Chairman Kim Gwan-jin, Defense Minister Shin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Myung-soo, Army Chief of Staff Park An-soo, and Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-su.

The assessment showed that the targets for the first half of the year were achieved, with the rate of progress increasing by 5.9%p since the end of 2023. In particular, there were some visible achievements such as the launch of military reconnaissance satellite No. 2, increased efficiency in the military strength enhancement process and the inauguration of the Defense AI Center.

The Defense Ministry announced on July 1 that a meeting was held to assess the implementation of the Defense innovation 4.0 for the first half of 2024, hosted by Defense Minister Shin Won Sik.

The meeting began with the presentation of awards to departments with meritorious achievements, followed by a comprehensive assessment of the achievements of Defense Innovation 4.0 in the first half, and the presentation of opinions.

According to the Defense Ministry, regarding the strategic command that is being created to counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, the mission and composition of the Strategic Command, command relationships and the location of the command were decided in the first half of the year. Related laws were enacted and revised. In the second half, the Strategic Command’s ability to fulfill its mission will finally be assessed in a combined exercise prior to its establishment.

Laws and institutions related to strengthening of combat power have been significantly amended so that advanced weapons can be procured in a timely manner. The time for fielding was shortened and costs were reduced by ensuring continuous operation of production lines by creating “integrated requirements planning,” and removing the feasibility study requirement for mass production,

Regarding ROK 3K Defense, in the first half of the year, military reconnaissance satellite No. 2 was launched, a long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) test was completed, the production of a medium-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (MUAV) was started and KSS-Ⅲ Batch-I was deployed.

With regard to the establishment of manned-unmanned collaborative combat systems (MUM-CCS), the transition to an AI-based MUM-CCS was carried out in stages. The concept of an integrated drone control system was defined and the guidelines for technology development and training were prepared. Also, instructions on the tasks of military strength development were amended.

To lay the foundations for defense AI, the Defense AI Center was opened and the Defense Data and AI Committee was inaugurated. The Defense Integrated Data Center (DIDC) was upgraded to a cloud data center to build a system for the use of defense AI, and key tasks for cooperation with the Ministry of Science and ICT were identified.

In addition, an effective personnel management system was set up to cultivate scientific and technological talents and strengthen spiritual combat training, and the education and training system was overhauled to inculcate a correct view of the nation, anti-enemy consciousness and soldiering spirit in the soldiers.

With the Defense Innovation Committee, the process of acquiring military capabilities has become more efficient, and the defense posture against North Korea’s unmanned aerial vehicle threats has been strengthened. An increase in various allowances to improve the conditions of service for junior officers and a reduction in the number of staff duties are underway, and an appropriate policy will be implemented for the conditions of service for commanders.

The Defense Ministry will reflect the results of the analysis and evaluation of the changing external environment, North Korean threats and the implementation of defense innovation in 2025 Defense Innovation 4.0 Basic Plan Amendment No. 1.

Minister Shin Won Sik, who hosted the meeting, emphasized that “Defense innovation is not about absolute speed, but relative speed. That is, we must build a strong military with comparative advantages by implementing innovation a faster pace than North Korea or other potential adversaries."

He said, " I urge all of you to dedicate yourselves to realizing a strong military based on science and technology with the rapid implementation of defense innovation.”

The meeting was attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Myung-soo, Army Chief of Staff Park An-su, Navy Chief of Staff Yang Yong-mo, Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-soo, Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan, key officials from the Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, branches of the military and Defense Acquisition Program Administration, as well as Chairman of the Special Advisory Committee on Defense Innovation Kim Gwan-jin, and Vice Chairman Lee Sun-jin.

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

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