Major Defense Exhibitions Merge for Comprehensive Showcase
Two prominent South Korean defense exhibitions, KADEX and DX KOREA, which were held separately in Gyeryong and Ilsan respectively in 2024, have agreed to combine their events for a unified exhibition at KINTEX in Ilsan this year. The decision was finalized on June 5th.
Unified Event Scheduled for September
According to the DX KOREA Organizing Committee and the KADEX Organizing Committee, both parties have reached a final agreement to jointly host the 2026 Ground Defense Exhibition from September 16th to 19th, spanning four days at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
Addressing Previous Challenges
The Army Association, a reserve reserve unit, had been holding DX KOREA annually. However, in 2024, the organizing body changed, and the first KADEX exhibition was held at Gyeryongdae in South Chungcheong Province. DX KOREA was concurrently held at KINTEX in Ilsan in the same year. This separated approach led to significant confusion and increased burdens for participating companies.
Gyeryongdae Runway Controversy
Notably, when KADEX was held at Gyeryongdae, the extended use of the military airfield’s emergency runway created a situation where it was unusable for an extended period. Concerns were raised about the need to dismantle the runway to install a large tent structure. Reports suggest that the Army Association’s use of the Gyeryongdae emergency runway without submitting a security agreement to the Ministry of National Defense also led to potential violations of training regulations.
Ministry of National Defense Intervention
In response to these issues, the Ministry of National Defense decided not to approve the use of the Gyeryongdae runway for the KADEX exhibition planned for this year. The ministry subsequently recommended a unified event. While an agreement in principle was reached on May 19th, the final consensus was achieved through recent discussions between the organizing committee chairpersons. The name of the unified exhibition will be determined through further deliberation by both organizing committees.
Commitment to Industry Growth
The DX KOREA Organizing Committee and the KADEX Organizing Committee stated, “This unified agreement is not a victory for one side or a compromise, but a joint decision for the development of South Korea’s defense industry and the enhancement of the competitiveness of defense companies.” They added, “We will do our best to ensure the unified exhibition becomes a core platform for expanding K-defense exports and building a global defense network.””
