Rep. Lee Jae-myung, a presidential contender in the Democratic Party of Korea primary, pledged to expand government support for South Korea’s growing defense exports. If elected, Lee said he would convene regular meetings on export strategies and establish a centralized "control tower" or overseeing body to coordinate national efforts, aiming to position South Korea among the world’s top four arms exporters.
Lee proposed increased state funding for defense-related R&D and a revamp of policy loans to better support exporters. “Expanding state investment in R&D is not an option but a necessity,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
He also called for stronger global partnerships, encouraging Korean defense firms to work with counterparts in regions such as Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America, as well as the US and India.
South Korean defense exports have surged in recent years, with 2024 orders reaching $9.5 billion. Korea currently holds 2 percent of the market, compared to 5.9 percent for China and 5.6 percent for Germany, according to global arms trade data.
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