South Korea seeks to become 4th-largest global defence power, President Lee says

Spectators take a look at the Cheongung missile during Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition in Seongnam, South Korea, October 17, 2025. - Reuters

SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday (Oct 20) the country will devote a "larger-than-expected budget" in defence and aerospace research until 2030 as it seeks to build the world's fourth-largest defence industry.

Lee was speaking at South Korea's largest-ever arms fair, the Seoul International Aerospace & Defence Exhibition (ADEX) 2025, where firms showed off new unmanned and artificial intelligence-enhanced weapons from howitzers to suicide drones in pursuit of more global defence sales.