Moon calls for export-oriented arms development, enhanced defense capabilities

President Moon Jae-in called Tuesday for a transformation of South Korea's defense industry to boost its exports, as well as for efforts to develop advanced systems to enhance the country's independent defense capabilities.

"We must widen our view to the world and form joint communities for defense cooperation with friendly nations," the president said in congratulatory remarks marking the start of the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition.

"We must break away from the current weapons development system, which targets the South Korean military as the only buyer, to build a system where we will jointly plan, develop and operate advanced weapons systems with friendly nations," he added.

Such a system is apparently not unprecedented, as the president noted the country has exported over $2.3 billion worth of indigenously developed T-50 supersonic trainer jets over the past decade.

"The government will further strengthen its diplomatic efforts to help boost exports by the defense industry. I believe our government's efforts will contribute to global peace while also strengthening the defense capabilities of friendly nations," Moon told the opening ceremony, which was attended by a number of top defense officials from other countries, including the defense ministers of Botswana and the United Arab Emirates, according to the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.

The president also underscored the country's need to advance its defense systems.

"Currently, we need the power to make peace more than ever. To this end, we urgently need to secure enhanced capabilities for our own aerospace and defense industries," he said. "We must deploy advanced weapons systems with superior capabilities that can protect the people from North Korean security threats."

North Korea has staged 10 missile tests since the South Korean president took office in May. The communist state also staged its sixth and latest nuclear test Sept. 3.

Moon said efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the defense industry will also help improve the livelihood of the people.

"Strengthening the competitiveness of the defense industry will lead to more jobs, and it will be the start of the defense industry becoming a new growth engine," the president said. (Yonhap)