News
KIST Signs MoU with the Korean Military (2017.04.20)
- Date : 2017-08-29
- Views : 4847
-
Writer
International Cooperation Team
-
Att.
KIST Signs MoU with the Korean Military
- S&T given crucial role in building up Korea’s national defense system
On April 20, at its headquarters in Seoul, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) signed an MoU for promoting S&T-related exchanges and cooperation with the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), a move expected to help strengthen Korea’s national defense capabilities.
Both organizations agreed on the necessity for joint efforts to be made in response to public demand for a fully modernized national defense system and carefully constructed strategies for engaging in cutting-edge warfare. KIST plans to build up ROKA’s S&T capacities in certain vital areas, provide technological support, engage in national defense research, and provide other related assistance.
Dr. Lee Byung Gwon, president of KIST, said, "With this agreement, I expect for technological cooperation between the military and government-funded research institutes to become better established in the near future. We hope to set a good example for how these kinds of partnerships can greatly support national interests."
Since the early stages of its establishment, KIST has continuously worked to develop national defense-related technologies such as firearms, radio transceivers, patrol vessels, and bomb disposal robots. Of particular note, KIST recently completed two R&D projects―one on next-generation metallic fuel cells and the other on a system for tracking projectiles shot from M61 Vulcan cannons―for the Korean Ministry of National Defense.