The Gyeonggi-do Business & Science Accelerator (GBSA) is launching a full-scale push to transform the defense sector through artificial intelligence in partnership with the Republic of Korea Army, the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement (KRIT), and the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA). The initiative centers on gradually opening military defense data to the private sector to help companies in the province create new business opportunities.
According to GBSA on the 4th, the four agencies signed a memorandum of understanding for "Building an AX (AI Transformation) Innovation Ecosystem" at Pangyo Startup Campus. Attendees included Hyun Chang-ha, GBSA Executive Director of Future New Industries; Kim Sung-sook, Director of the Army AI Center; Kang Han-tae, Center Director at KIDA; and Ha Young-seok, Department Head at KRIT.
The core of the agreement is opening defense data to the private sector. The Army will organize and provide data accumulated from operations, logistics, and training in formats usable by businesses. Based on this, GBSA plans to support technology matching and demonstration opportunities so provincial companies can develop AI solutions based on defense needs.
The four agencies will jointly pursue establishing an open civilian-government-military cooperation framework, collaborating on field deployment of civilian AI technology, advancing spin-on and spin-off strategies, and cultivating defense AI talent. Spin-on refers to applying civilian technology to military applications, while spin-off means transferring military technology to the civilian sector. The strategy aims to maximize civilian-military cooperation synergy through bidirectional technology transfer.
The Army AX hub established at Pangyo Startup Campus will begin full operations this year. The combination of Pangyo's infrastructure—home to Korea's top ICT companies and startups—with the Army's defense capabilities is expected to generate synergy.
Hyun Chang-ha, GBSA Executive Director, said, "This is a standard model for civilian-government-military cooperation that connects Pangyo's innovative technology with defense capabilities in the field," adding, "We will swiftly pursue follow-up measures to build a global-level defense AI ecosystem and help provincial companies secure competitiveness in the global defense industry market."