SEOUL -- South Korea's state body controlled by the Defense Ministry has revised work guidelines to promote the development of non-weapon core technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing through the more active participation of academic and industrial sectors participate in short and long term defense projects.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement that the research and development of defense products and technologies will be conducted through package-type short and long term projects involving academics, related industries and private research labs.
"We have drastically increased the involvement rate of academics, related industries and research centers in defense research projects," a DAPA official was quoted as saying.
DAPA said it has prepared a reward system that exempts private companies from penalties when they fail to fulfill a project. The agency said it has prepared a system to increase the involvement of research centers operated by the Agency for Defense Development, a national agency for research and development of defense technology.
South Korea is one of the top 10 arms exporting countries in the world, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), and produces next-generation jet fighters as well as battleships of various sizes.