From A Post-conflict State, South Korea Rises to A Defence Technology Powerhouse

By Ahmad Syabil Sultan Noordin Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- More than seven decades ago, South Korea emerged from the Korean War with shattered infrastructure, a divided territory and a fragile economy.

Today, South Korea ranks among the world’s leaders in technology, precision manufacturing and defence industries – a transformation that offers valuable lessons for Malaysia as a developing country aspiring to achieve developed-nation status.

The experience of foreign journalists participating in the International Journalist Invitation Programme organised by South Korea’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry (MCST) recently provided insight into how the country has holistically built national strength, integrating public policy, security, industry and human capital development into a single, coherent ecosystem.

South Korea’s transformation cannot be separated from its geopolitical reality. A visit to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), one of the most heavily guarded borders in the world, serves as a stark reminder that the peace enjoyed today was shaped by a conflict that has never formally ended.

The Korean War concluded with an armistice, not a peace treaty, making national security a fundamental necessity rather than a discretionary policy choice.

Seoul’s experience demonstrates that credible defence capabilities are not solely about preparing for war, but about deterring conflict, ensuring stability and supporting long-term economic development.

In South Korea, security and development advance hand in hand. Engagements with the Korea Institute for Defence Analyses (KIDA) highlighted how national defence planning is underpinned by policy research, strategic analysis and institutional continuity across political administrations.

One of the clearest manifestations of the nation’s success is its defence industrial base. A visit to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon illustrated how the country transitioned from a technology recipient to a producer and exporter of high-technology defence systems.

Inside KAI’s hangar, an FA-50M Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ordered by Malaysia was undergoing assembly. The Malaysian flag proudly displayed on the aircraft symbolised bilateral defence cooperation.

The country did not build these capabilities overnight. The process began with technology transfer, substantial investment in training local engineers and strategic partnerships with global players. Over several decades, this approach gave rise to a self-sustaining aerospace ecosystem encompassing design, manufacturing, maintenance and continuous innovation.

Malaysia remains at an earlier stage of this journey. The acquisition of platforms such as the FA-50M should therefore be viewed not merely as a defence procurement, but as a strategic opportunity to strengthen local industry, develop expertise and create high-value industrial spillovers.

In the maritime domain, Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries demonstrated how defence industries can serve as national economic engines. These large-scale shipyards not only produce warships and submarines, but also support tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs and a robust domestic vendor ecosystem.

As a maritime nation, Malaysia possesses significant potential in this sector. The challenge lies in aligning defence requirements, industrial policy and workforce development under a clear and coherent national framework.

Visits to Hyundai Rotem and Hanwha Aerospace in Changwon further illustrated how South Korea built land systems capabilities from scratch. Despite having no historical background in tank manufacturing, the country has become a major exporter of platforms such as the K2 Black Panther and K9 Thunder, now in service with multiple countries.

This achievement was driven by sustained investment in research and development, as well as the willingness to compete in international markets. For Malaysia, the key lesson is the need to shift from short-term approaches to a defence industrial strategy anchored in innovation and export orientation.

Beyond technological advancement, the human dimension remains central. At the DMZ, stories of families separated by war underscored that national security ultimately exists to protect people and safeguard future generations.

While in factories and shipyards, engineers and workers view their roles as contributions to national resilience, not merely as employment.

Such a culture does not emerge organically. It is shaped by a clear national narrative, recognition of local expertise and confidence that individual contributions carry strategic value for the country.

In this regard, Malaysia also faces challenges in cultivating this culture, particularly in high-technology sectors. Issues such as talent outflow, dependence on imports and limited industrial scale require structural solutions rather than isolated initiatives.

Nevertheless, South Korea’s experience shows that transformation is possible. The country demonstrates that a post-conflict legacy need not be a permanent burden, but can instead become a catalyst for building a resilient, innovative and globally competitive nation.

In an increasingly uncertain world, defence and technological capabilities are no longer optional strategic choices, but national necessities. South Korea has pursued this path with discipline and vision.

-- BERNAMA