Chairman Seungyeon Kim: "We Must Develop Unrivaled National Defense AI Capabilities"... On-Site Management of Core Technologies

Visit to Hanwha Systems Gumi Plant

Assessing National Defense AI Competitiveness

"Significant Achievements Begin with Safety"

Seungyeon Kim, Chairman of Hanwha Group, visited Hanwha Systems' Gumi plant for his first field management activity in the second half of the year. Chairman Kim reviewed the competitiveness of future defense technology and emphasized securing unrivaled capabilities in national defense artificial intelligence (AI) and maintaining safety.

Seungyun Kim, Chairman of Hanwha Group, is visiting the Hanwha Systems Gumi plant to demonstrate the operation of the Cockpit-type Integrated Bridge System (IBS). Hanwha Group

On September 22, Chairman Kim visited Hanwha Systems' Gumi plant in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, where he received a business status report and inspected the state-of-the-art defense product manufacturing systems. The Hanwha Systems Gumi plant is a key site for developing and producing defense electronics such as radar, electro-optics, and naval combat systems. It serves as the brain and nervous system of Hanwha's defense sector. In December of last year, Hanwha Systems invested about KRW 280 billion to build a new plant in Gumi, more than doubling its previous size to 89,000 square meters.

This site management activity was attended by Dongkwan Kim, Senior Vice Chairman, Giwon Yang, CEO of Hanwha Systems, and other key executives.

Chairman Kim also visited the assembly and testing line for the multifunction radar—the core sensor of "Cheongung-II," a medium-range surface-to-air guided weapon system that represents Korean defense exports. The multifunction radar is essential to the air defense system, as it detects and tracks enemy aircraft and missiles, identifies friend from foe, and supports the guidance of interceptor missiles.

At the Gumi plant, Chairman Kim directly inspected Hanwha Systems’ AI-based integrated air defense system, which is currently under development. The AI-based integrated air defense system connects various surveillance assets like radar and electro-optical sensors to anti-aircraft guns and guided weapons, supporting rapid response and optimal action against multiple complex threats.

He also visited the large near-field test site for radar antennas, precisely measuring their performance and reviewing the testing and validation capabilities for key radars, including the Cheongung multifunction radar and the KF-21 active electronically scanned array radar.

Seung-Youn Kim, Chairman of Hanwha Group, and Dong-Kwan Kim, Senior Vice Chairman, are taking a commemorative photo with employees at the Hanwha Systems Gumi Plant. Hanwha Group

Chairman Kim also inspected Hanwha Systems’ cockpit-type Integrated Bridge System—the first of its kind developed in Korea’s maritime sector—and confirmed the company's competitive edge in defense AI. Based on over 40 years of accumulated technology in naval combat systems, Hanwha Systems is developing AI-based intelligent combat systems, automated combat and autonomous navigation, and technologies for combined manned and unmanned operations.

Emphasizing Safety as the Fundamental Principle

Chairman Kim repeatedly emphasized safety as the basic principle. He stated, "Great results begin with safety," and added, "There is no future without safety." He continued, "It should become a daily routine at the Gumi plant to pay close attention not only to your own safety but also to the safety of colleagues and partner companies."

Chairman Kim had lunch with executives and employees, encouraging and communicating with them. In his remarks, he said, "The Gumi plant has grown as the forward outpost for Hanwha’s global defense exports and as a hub for technological innovation. What you are creating is not merely equipment or software, but the force that unites and energizes all of Hanwha’s defense capabilities, serving as the foundation supporting the security of the Republic of Korea."

Chairman Kim highlighted AI as the core competitive edge in future defense. He stated, "The key to Hanwha Group’s defense competitiveness is AI, and Hanwha Systems is at the center of that effort. I hope you will develop truly unmatched and irreplaceable national defense AI capabilities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.