Moon makes visit to Agency for Defense Development

President Moon Jae-in made a rare on-site inspection Thursday of Korea's development of advanced weapon systems and pledged no let-up in support for the sector, which he said is crucial in Korea's self-defense and peace efforts.

"Going forward, the government will continue to invest in the defense science and technology field with a strong commitment to defense, for which we take responsibility on our own, and peace on the Korean Peninsula," he said on a visit to the headquarters of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in Daejeon.

It came two weeks ahead of the state-run agency's 50th founding anniversary.

Upon arriving at the compound, Moon inspected a set of cutting-edge strategic weapons developed by the ADD. Pool reporters and television crew travelling with the president were not allowed to cover the program due to security concerns.

Moon then made a public statement.

"I feel reassured, having seen the state-of-the-art strategic weapons with the world's top-level precision and strong destructive power," he said. "I confidently say that we have enough defense capabilities to prevent and deter any security threat."

He described the ADD as the base for South Korea's "autonomous and powerful" defense capabilities, citing an assessment that it ranks sixth in the world in terms of military power.

Moon told ADD officials, "I am proud of you for the world-class research and development, from high-power ballistic missiles to core radars for advanced fighter jets."

The ADD is home to the development of the Hyunmoo series of ballistic and cruise missiles, the Haeseong anti-ship missile, the Cheongung surface-to-air missile, the K9 self-propelled howitzer, the K2 main battle tank and other well-known weapons, some of which are exported.

The ADD is also leading active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar development work in the KF-X fighter jet project. The production of a prototype has been already done.

"The surveillance, reconnaissance and radar sector are very important in the highly sophisticated modern warfare," he said.

Moon also pointed out Korea's launch of its first military satellite earlier this week that made it the 10th country to own a military-only communications satellite.

"I hope that we will soon possess a satellite for military information and reconnaissance based on our technology," Moon said.'

Over the past half a century, the ADD has written a history of "turning the impossible to possible," he said, adding it was established at a time when South Korea had no ability to produce even a rifle component.

Yonhap