Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 10th policy measures to support the aviation, defense, and space industries as part of his presidential campaign. The main details include supporting exports related to airports and the defense industry, as well as fostering new industries in the aviation sector. He also expressed plans to develop Gyeongnam, where the Space Agency is located, into a global aerospace hub.
The candidate noted on the day that "aviation, defense, and space industries are representative core industries of high value-added and advanced future industries that create good jobs" and added that he would make South Korea a strong nation in aviation, defense, and space industries.
As part of his aviation, defense, and space industry pledges, the candidate proposed the following: ▲ domestic aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) ▲ support for exporting the K-airport model ▲ fostering urban air mobility (K-UAM) industry ▲ development of the KF-21 follow-up next-generation fighter and indigenous aircraft engine ▲ promoting tax credits for research and development (R&D) of defense export companies ▲ supporting the Gyeongnam aerospace national industrial complex ▲ early completion of the Space Agency building.
The candidate stated, "We will localize aviation maintenance parts and support R&D in aviation to enhance technical capabilities. Sacheon will specialize as a hub for military aircraft and parts manufacturing while Incheon will be specialized as an overseas integrated MRO center, aiming to cultivate both cities into global MRO industry hubs," adding, "Based on the successful experience of Incheon International Airport, we will lay the groundwork for the overseas advancement of our airport industry."
He emphasized, "We will actively promote the Gimpo Airport Innovation District as a UAM hub and expand national support for K-UAM municipal pilot projects, public shuttles, and tourism and public demonstration projects," stating, "We will establish a foundation for advanced defense artificial intelligence (AI) technology to foster the upstream and downstream industries such as aircraft, missiles, and satellites, and promote the localization of defense materials and parts to enhance technological independence."
He also said, "The Boramae project, initiated by President Kim Dae-jung's decision, is protecting South Korea’s skies with the Korean fighter KF-21," noting, "In the vast universe of unlimited possibilities, a true South Korea must lead the world."
The candidate will conduct a "listening tour" visiting consecutively Changnyeong, Hampyeong, Uiryeong, Jinju, Sacheon, and Hadong, where he will meet with voters. In Jinju, Gyeongnam, he will meet with Kim Jang-ha, a former supporter of acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae during his school days.