In the year of 2008, a newly launched Korean government has chosen 'promoting defense industry as a new economic growth' among one of the national agenda. It is believed to be a strategic governmental plan to achieve more robust national economic and industrial infrastructure as well as armed forces with cutting edge technology via promoting defense industry while sustaining constant economic growth. In this context, this paper is to review the current issues of Korean defense industry and suggest some initiatives that must be conducted from government and other related organizations for future development of Korean defense industry. The initiatives are separated into three perspectives, that is, government, Ministry of National Defense, DAPA.
In the government perspective, it can be divided into three sections: credibility improvement regarding policy will, cognitive share and administrative cooperation, and close cooperation between government and defense enterprise. First, it is about the credibility improvement about the political will in government defense industry promotion policy. Second, sharing the recognition and administrative cooperation are nationally required with regards to the defense industry issue as reinforcing the competitive power in the industry. Third, a close cooperation is required between government and defense enterprise as it is the partner for high-end military power and national economic development. In the perspective of Ministry of National Defense, domestic demand and demand plan for technology level consideration is required in defense industry with acquisition policy. In the perspective of DAPA, the basic plan (20008-2012) has to be revised and complemented regularly and it guarantees active participation of interested parties. In the context, sharing the information and defense industrial base capability study is essential.