Lee Jae-myung: "Advanced Weapons Systems... A Way to Alleviate Unemployment to Some Extent"

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung reflected on the significance of defense technology innovation.

Governor Lee stated through SNS, "As an administrator of Gyeonggi Province, I cannot neglect special attention to our national defense," and evaluated that "in an era of global technological competition, technology is national power itself and 'security' that protects the lives and safety of the people."

He then conveyed the news that "Gyeonggi Province and the Army Headquarters are collaborating on drone robot AI utilization," and said, "We are also devising ways to make weapons system modernization a new opportunity," explaining that "this is a way to alleviate unemployment to some extent and will be able to nurture research personnel needed by the private sector."

The following is the full text of Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's SNS post.

<Defense Technology Innovation: The Core of 'Security' and Our Future>
The future belongs to those who prepare for it, and the strength to maintain peace comes from strong national defense. As an administrator of Gyeonggi Province, which faces the inter-Korean border and where two-thirds of the Army is stationed, I cannot neglect special attention to our national defense.
The wave of technological innovation extends beyond economics alone. In an era of global technological competition, technology is national power itself and 'security' that protects the lives and safety of the people. If we fall behind in this competition, we will face a security crisis, but if we lead in innovation, we can create new opportunities to become the master and lead peace.
Gyeonggi Province and the Army Headquarters are collaborating on drone robot AI utilization. Businesses within the province participate in the Army's drone robot and AI projects, and the Army cooperates with Gyeonggi Province in building an AI cluster and demonstration projects. This is a model where enhanced security and the province's economy create synergy.
We are also devising ways to make weapons system modernization a new opportunity. Under the universal conscription system where everyone fulfills military service obligations, for soldiers who wish, we are opening pathways through selective recruitment systems, among other methods, to grow as specialized combat soldiers or weapons and equipment experts with sufficient compensation. This will be a way to alleviate unemployment to some extent and will be able to nurture research personnel needed by the private sector.