Lee Jae-myung, a candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea presidential primary, noted on the 17th, "I will establish a defense export control tower, promote tax deductions for research and development (R&D) of defense export corporations, and expand the defense military service exemptions," and announced the "K-defense pledge."
The candidate said through Facebook that morning, "I will make South Korea a top four global defense industry power."
He said, "The domestic air defense weapon system and the ultra-large advanced warhead technology are core assets of strong security that do not cave in to North Korea's repeated nuclear missile threats," adding, "K-defense, along with semiconductors, secondary batteries, and future vehicles, will be the future growth area that will lead the South Korean economy."
He added, "K-defense, armed with advanced technology based on a strong manufacturing industry, is indeed a new growth engine that will help us overcome the low growth crisis of our economy and is an important driving force for increasing national wealth."
He presented several proposals: ▲ Establishing a defense export control tower ▲ Regularizing the defense export promotion strategy meeting chaired by the president ▲ Tax reductions for R&D of defense export corporations ▲ Expanding defense military service exemptions.
The candidate said, "Strengthening the government-wide support system is necessary," and stated, "We need to establish a defense export control tower and regularize the defense export promotion strategy meeting chaired by the president."
He also said, "We need to reorganize the defense support policy financing system and reduce the R&D tax for defense export corporations to further enhance our corporations' competitiveness."
He mentioned the Russia-Ukraine war, stating, "To respond to the battlefield changing at the speed of light in proportion to advanced science and technology, expanding national investment in R&D is 'not an option but a necessity.'"
To achieve this, he argued, "We must foster K-defense startups and expand the defense military service exemptions to actively cultivate K-defense talent."
The candidate said, "South Korea must now shift the paradigm from 'imitation' to 'leadership,'" adding, "I am confident that the future of the world's top four K-defense powers will firmly establish itself at the forefront of the South Korean economy industry."
The Democratic Party of Korea is holding regional primary elections ahead of the June 3 presidential election. The preliminary candidates will visit the Chungcheong region on the 19th as their first stop.