Military technology’s disconnect with past
Korea JoongAng Daily

Home > >

print dictionary print

Military technology’s disconnect with past

Published: 25 Oct. 2013, 22:23
테스트

Korean, Japanese and Chinese communications experts were showing off the technological advancement and history of each country. The Chinese expert said, “Recently, we discovered copper wire from the stratum created 1,000 years ago. That means the Chinese invented the telephone.” The Japanese responded, “We found a piece of glass from the stratum from 1,000 years ago. We had already used fiber optics back then.” After listening to the conversation quietly, the Korean finally said, “We dug up the stratum, but found nothing. Korea’s ancestors were already using wireless communications.”

It may be a joke, but it has a point. Korea virtually began with nothing but became an information and communications technology powerhouse. Our triumph has been made possible by the blood and sweat of the older generation. In 1996, the world’s first CDMA service was provided, and in 1982 Korea became the 10th nation to successfully develop data transport exchange. The origin of a variety of technologies goes back to the defense industry and the struggle to develop indigenous technology in the 1970s. Former Science Minister Seo Jeong-uk invented Korea’s first military radio communication device - the KPRC-6 - while working at the Agency for Defense Development. Then-President Park Chung Hee was impressed after making a call on a KPRC-6 prototype on July 7, 1972, and offered full support to Seo and his team. The TA312 field telephone was also made with indigenous technology.

In November 1971, Park ordered the development of 11 items, including rifles, grenades and field mines, with Korean technology. Researchers always had tight budgets. They had deconstructed U.S. Army weapons and tried to creatively redesign them. They tested the performance of prototype radio devices by tying them on the backs of trucks and driving through fields. Lee Seok-pyo, Blue House secretary for the defense industry, died on the job at the Vulcan testing site, and three were killed in an accident developing military vehicles. It has literally been a history of blood and sweat.

How are we doing today? Eulji Mundeok, the second destroyer made with Korean technology, had a five-hour blackout, and the explosion success rate of Korean mines is only 16.6 percent. The Hongsangeo torpedo reportedly has a very low accuracy rate. While the military complains of a money and manpower shortage, there may be other reasons involved. They may lack the strict sense of professionalism and military spirit. They should feel ashamed for failing to continue the legacy of researchers who gave their lives decades ago.

Today is the 34th anniversary of the assassination of Park Chung Hee.

The author is an editorial writer of the JoongAngIlbo.

By Noh Jae-Hyun
tags

Related Stories

Japan’s ‘one theater’ plan with U.S. raises concern in Korea over shifting military focus

North warns 'powerful' measures against U.S. after joint air drill with South

Warm daytime weather to continue across Korea, sharp drop forecast for evening

Man tries to set pet dog on fire during argument with girlfriend

For Korean shipyards, U.S. port fees could be sea of opportunity, or stormy waters
Log in to Twitter or Facebook account to connect
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
help-image Social comment?
s
lock icon

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)