How South Korea is Transforming Into a Weapons Export Giant | WSJ

South Korea is the fastest-growing arms exporter in the world, with their defense exports growing by 177% in just a five-year period. Although the U.S., Russia and France have larger defense industries, analysts say the pace at which Seoul is expanding marks a shift for their future.
South Korea’s largest defense company, Hanwha, is quickly constructing K-9 Howitzers for Poland and new submarines called KSS-iii that could help bolster NATO’s arsenal in the future.
WSJ takes a rare look inside Hanwha’s facilities to see how South Korea is transforming into a defense giant and explores what this means for the Western military alliance.
0:00 South Korea’s defense industry
0:47 K-9 Howitzers and speed of production
2:11 Submarines
3:22 Supply chain
News Explainers
Some days the high-speed news cycle can bring more questions than answers. WSJ’s news explainers break down the day's biggest stories into bite-size pieces to help you make sense of the news.
#SouthKorea #Weapons #WSJ

[@ArghastOfTheAlliance]

As a Pole, the increasing cooperation between Poland and South Korea fills me with happiness and optimism. Just as Poland, Korea suffered greatly throughout its history. I hope this fact, together with economic and political ties will form a basis for further cooperation between our countries and friendship between our nations.

[@thejeffinvade]

Russia buys ammunition from North Korea while NATO buys artillery from the south. 😂

[@melkor2024]

As a Korean, I agree with you completely. Cooperation between our countries is mutually very beneficial. The deal comprises of manufacturing K9s within Polish borders. This will boost the local economy softening the military expenses. From Korea's perspective, it allows for components to be manufactured in essentially a safe haven if war happens to errupt on the Korean peninsula. Our manufacturing facilities will be prime targets so having factories abroad is also beneficial from a logistical perspective. Another benefit for Poland is that later down the line, they can export these vehicles back to other European countries making the initial purchase more like an investment for Poland to become a military manufacturing hub in Europe. The deal also includes the transfer of technologies - something the US or other European nations would never do. For Korea, it means better access to the market through Poland and therefore more exports. The sharing of skills does not hurt Korea because Korea never really had a market share in the Europoean market so cooperating with Poland to co-enter this market is just a sublime idea. so.. Win-win for both of us!

[@EZ-hr6de]

South Korea and Poland united. May we help each other defeat tyranny and despotism.

[@lordfedjoe]

Poland suffered? Bro your country is an aggressor over the centuries. Stop claiming victim

[@axlfrhalo]

@@lordfedjoe Poland lost 19% of its entire population in ww2, the manner at which it happened makes it perhaps the most horrific event in Poland's history, yet it's just one of a plethora of terrible events throughout their history. Think before you type.

[@user-sn1lu5yi6r]

Don't forget about Finland. Years before the Poles, the Finns contracted and received a healthy number of K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled helping to make the South Koreans a dominate arms force in the world.

[@poppinc8145]

Turkey was the first customer of the K9 Thunder back in 2001 and it was South Korea's first major and largest-ever arms export deal at the time. The Turkish military made the K9 a combat-proven platform for over a decade before other countries started showing interest around the mid-2010s.

[@ZOFIELHERRERA-wy3yo]

Well, unfortunately, the Russian Federation's Armed Forces are turning South Korean weapons sent to Ukraine into useless burning junk.

[@user-lw9if5zv4e]

Finland, Turkiye ♥ - From Seoul

[@VitorJKhan]

We never forget norway's dirty behavior act for korea.

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

@@poppinc8145 hello 👋

[@disrealnow9664]

Long live South Korea - love from Poland.

[@unquietthoughts]

Bracia dwóch kontynentów ❤

[@saint_jean]

❤

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

Hi 👋

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

@@unquietthoughts hi 👋

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

@@saint_jean hi 👋

[@wonhong8287]

Let's go Korea! You are making literally all things, cars, semiconductors, electronics, satellites, steels, jets, tanks, medicine, machines/robots, ships,batteries, food,pop music, tv shows and so on contributing to mankind. Fighting Koreans!

[@sanha7007]

감사합니다!! 🇰🇷 korea 에서!

[@user-qf9qz1mt9h]

한국인이 한국인에게 화이팅 하는건 좀 모냥 빠진다. 자제 하자.

[@Rohmoohyun.]

노무현

[@Magentaocean]

"k-pop" is a rip off of Black American 80s 90s R&B, Pop, And rap music.

[@everglades_n_co.]

it's not even surprising if you knew that korea has long been top 3 manufacturing countries along with germany and japan.

[@user-sx3es1zi4k]

Considering South Korea's neighborhood with big players like Russia, China, North Korea, and Japan, it makes sense they'd want top-notch weapons. I mean, they're killing it in the computer chips and tech products, so why not in weapons too?

[@kierkharriscaliliw4525]

Yeah and because of that, South Korea has become a big player too. Arguably larger and more powerful than Japan

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

Hi 👋

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

@@kierkharriscaliliw4525 hi 👋

[@15425rfggdfc]

Мы их размажем. Хоть с чипами, хоть без них. Жалкое корейское хвастовство, и ничего больше.

[@TheColombiano89]

In 🇨🇴 Colombia we have South Korean frigates, Anti-Ship missiles and fighter jets. Colombia sent forces to the Korean War. The South Koreans even help veterans and their relatives aswell as Samsung. Brothers forever 🤝

[@choiminsung7077]

Colombia is the only south american country who fought for south korea in Latin America.

[@snowmochi1373]

@@choiminsung7077and that’s why South Korea sold frigates for 1 dollar to Columbia

[@Matt-gr9jx]

thanks to you brother

[@hhxx99]

Thank colombia❤

[@user-zp4jq8kg5v]

We are extremely grateful to Colombia for its commitment.

[@sitechca70]

What a silly way for WSJ to end this article by saying Seoul may be overpromising its completion times. Even if they're late, they're still faster than any NATO country. The South Koreans are amazing manufacturing giants.

[@poppinc8145]

Part of the reason they've been fast with their deliveries is because the howitzers and tanks that were ordered for the ROK military have been delivered to Poland instead. While their manufacturing is likely faster then Western nations, they're not nearly as fast as people are making it out to be.

[@powerupyo]

Even sillier is the fact that current deliveries to Poland are *faster* than the "overpromised" deadline. WSJ should try standup.

[@Costikeke]

its quite obvious early on in the video indicating WSJ has an agenda, posing south korea as a competitive threat to the entire west

[@dellyspice]

@@poppinc8145 nope.

[@aron-c8207]

Korean War of 1950 still has not ended. Both North & South Korea have been preparing to annihilate each other for the past 70 years and still ongoing. That's why S.Korea still have been actively investing in arms manufacturing. And that's why the rest of the world cannot keep the pace in armament building with Koreas.

[@cymo7344]

May it in Soft Power or Hard Power South Korea is winning it all 🔥. No wonder why I feel like SK is in the Golden age. I hope the Philippines can replicate the current SK in the near future too.

[@ErikKart]

A global powerhouse and a force for good ❤Thank you South Korea

[@edwardkim8972]

Worth saving in 1950.

[@kevinjenner9502]

We should learn a lesson from them…S Korean President Park Geun-hye, (2013-2017) was impeached, convicted, and removed from office for corruption.

[@JamesL0717]

​@@edwardkim8972If only we united the Koreas in 1950 and not deal with counter invasion by China... we wouldn't have to deal with that lunatic Kim.

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

Hi 👋

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

@@edwardkim8972 hi 👋

[@ten_tego_teges]

Interesting to watch this as a Pole working in Samsung in Warsaw. Despite a vastly different culture I feel Koreans are similar to us, we both endured a lot of hardships in the 20th century and emerge into our respective Golden Ages in recent decades. Korea's rise to economic prowess is astounding, I wish Poland can replicate this in the European context. P.S. After visiting Seoul I must say that Korean BBQ is basically the same as Polish BBQ, but instead of soju we drink beer :D

[@edwardkim8972]

Poles have bbq?... 🤣

[@edwardkim8972]

"Korea's rise to economic prowess is astounding..." We are made from the same raw materials as the Japanese but due to our geography we have had a much tougher history. Poland is also cursed by their geography too. Because we are both surrounded by powerful nations any little mistake that either Poland or Korea commits can mean a loss of sovereignty at any given time. Hence, both countries need to ally themselves with powerful countries that are not interested in conquering them and also have excellent defense industries as well. A fruit with a hard and prickly exterior will not get eaten.

[@michaelalek6490]

@@edwardkim8972These Poles like to make all sorts of stuff up.

[@rowinrowinson8455]

Poland is getting welfare from Germany to buy South Korean weapons.

[@shawnc5188]

Try a soju bomb, but I didn’t like Korean Hite beer.

[@normanocampo4466]

Israel, and South Korea, are RELIABLE arms suppliers to the Philippines, but, they are NOW, being challenged by India, Indonesia, France, Japan, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey. The GOOD thing about Israeli, and South Korean military equipment are VERY reliable, and COST effective.

[@jaredspencer3304]

If we in the US bought our ships from Korea, we'd get so much more bang for our buck, and could get a fleet of the size that we actually need. We're desperately short of destroyers.

[@dhk7986]

Or just invest in infrastructure and maybe allow allied nations to conduct more maintenance and refits, freeing up dockyard space in the US to build more ships. The ROK and Japan both use Aegis systems on their top-end surface combatants anyways, so it's just a matter of sending a few more people from places like Raytheon or LM to oversee the more expensive parts.

[@mharley3791]

The real issue is the jones act, which prevents foreign ships from operating in the US. There is also a desire to keep the industrial base alive

[@jonathanpfeffer3716]

@@mharley3791we realistically could very much use both continued use of current domestic shipbuilding capacity plus foreign outsourced capacity. we need to be able to build ships faster. problem is that would require both more money and more personnel (which then costs more money as incentives to join cost money) than the navy can get right now.

[@YesWeWentToTheMoon]

Bring back the battleships!!!!!!

[@johnnybaum7957]

We get way more for our buck selling our own. 1 thing USA will never care about spending is the military. They cut education / space/ infrastructure everything for the military and will do so in the future even if it kills the country. USA is a country that got rich by war, when we feel like we are going down we will start another war take whats theirs and continue to bully the world. Thats how its been and it will be for the next100 years or so.

[@alvinhang8721]

Korean efficiency is amazing. Poland is smart to buy weapon systems from South Korea. Delivery is prompt.

[@inhim05]

Yeah I can tell Poland leaders are smart and decisive.

[@keksentdecker]

As a German I think we can learn a lot about the competitive, dynamic and rapidly evolving Korean arms industry to further grow our own capabilities, industrial base and keep innovating at the cutting edge

[@dorkanderson4963]

This video is pure lies. Korea does technology transfers. They won the Australian IFV over the US and Germany because they're gonna be built in Australia not Korea. They don't buy individual units made in Korea, they buy licensing fees.

[@alexanderfoster3628]

German attempts to restrict use of exported German defence equipment reduces your export chances I'm afraid. Also big questions for Germany if France goes it alone with FCAS.

[@johnnybaum7957]

@@dorkanderson4963 You are partially correct. Korea manufactures arms from their own country too, this is why Poland received the first batch of tanks so quickly and another in a few months. In the future though, alot of them will be made domestically using Korea licensing.

[@zacjames1131]

😅

[@dorkanderson4963]

@@johnnybaum7957 Was a tiny fraction of the order.

[@markokada7311]

Another factor S. Korea has globally become famous for is that pop-music or K-pop. People in the whole world now can enjoy, admire, & appreciate the exotic Asian beautiful girls dancing in almost perfect synchronization,,,,,,Anyone agree w/ me?,,,,,,(12/03/23)

[@Elongated_Muskrat]

Nations quickly learning that regardless of how safe and prosperous they are now, weapons are still needed to maintain peace.

[@shovethatupyaNSmokeit]

We are at record levels of weapons manufacturing. Not exactly drowning in peace though

[@mheekkim2901]

​@@ff20e03bbc If Costa Rica was located next to China, it would be already part of China

[@GinoFoto]

@Elongated_Muskrat Weapons can be used to attack/response/deffence, though never ever to maintain peace. there's literally no order when those are used, no matter what.

[@maemilev]

Because you can't talk common sense and facts to some group of people particularly MusIims and blacks.

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

Hi 👋

[@cherrybomb1229]

Koreans can produce military equipment really fast. They can produce semiconductors to shipbuilding industries bases for manufacturing superpower.

[@henasgd1566]

Poland❤ Soth Korea

[@ChaoticCobra]

I am Canadian and I am praying the Canada gets the KSS III Block 2 submarine to replace its Victoria class submarines as well as the K2 Black Panther tank to replace the Leopard 2 tanks that Canada donated to Ukraine 🙏🇨🇦🇰🇷

[@mattkennedy6115]

*Victoria class submarines

[@ChaoticCobra]

@@mattkennedy6115 Sorry autocorrect

[@scottbuckley6578]

We need nuclear subs as well

[@ice-cold4342]

Why can’t Canada build their own

[@ChaoticCobra]

@@scottbuckley6578 AIP submarines are much more beneficial!!!

[@chrisbreezy-ryanbarbosa4320]

US UN NATO essentially is the reason South Korea is a country right now and they haven't forgotten it. South Korea has been a valuable asset. Their tanks, jets, ammo production has been very valuable to the Free World.

[@edwardkim8972]

Not every NATO country was part of the UN coalition in Korea from 1950-53.

[@edwardkim8972]

@@dannyzero692 the fact of the matter is very few European countries were a part of the UN coalition that defended South Korea. Even Ethiopia, the Philippines and Turkey send more aid than most other European countries.

[@mintberrycrunch6657]

news: SK is not a NATO member

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

Hi 👋

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

@@edwardkim8972 hi 👋

[@Masada1911]

I love our South Korean Allies!

[@zoperxplex]

Given the size of South Korea's steel, ship building and electronics industries, all of which are vital for a modern day defense establishment, that is not surprising.

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

Hi 👋

[@holden5478]

South Korea is doing an amazing job!

[@vsstdtbs3705]

South Korea, like the West, is doing an amazing job at Feminism. Women dominate voting that is whey there are bias custody, support, employment and healthcare laws. Notice a women talking about the South Korean military, that should be a mans job. But he is at home unemployed.

[@IQstrategy]

My grandfather had to stop the T34s with handgranades as we had zero MBTs. Now after 74 years S Korea is the armory and the peace keeper of the free world.

[@mercedescl]

People just don’t realize South Korea is economically 60 times larger than North Korea. NATO is 50 times larger than Russia.

[@vsstdtbs3705]

People also don't realise that overpopulation is making our species extinct.

[@P01tava]

​@@vsstdtbs3705while SK is suffering from population decreaee: 😐

[@vsstdtbs3705]

@@P01tava If you are just referring to one animal - yes. Other animals have suffered a population decrease for a long time. Humans need deforestation for houses, deforestation for roads, deforestation for businesses.

[@davidrichards1741]

And some people also don't realize that Russia has soundly defeated all of NATO in ukraine, with every nato "wonder weapon" burned up and worthless. Nato and the US has convincingly lost the war in ukraine just as it lost to the taliban in afghanistan shortly before. And BRICS+ is already twice as large economically as the entire collective west and growing ten times faster.

[@muchsoso8468]

@@P01tava So we'll reunify ourselves.

[@davidk3422]

For the past three decades, South Koreans have called themselves the people of delivery because they are so fast in delivering food orders. But in reality they are super fast in almost everything. There are many things that will take weeks in Western countries but takes just an hour in South Korea. They don't idle away time, they are serious, serious people.

[@busyhoneybee4517]

You are joking by Korea old country/race name(倍達) from delivery(配達). It's homophonic.

[@yttst7110]

그배달이 그 배달이 아니란다 급식아

[@poplar6658]

All K9 orders made in Korea: 🇰🇷Republic of Korea Army: 1300 🇵🇱Polish Land Forces: 212 🇪🇬Egyptian Army: 200 🇫🇮Finnish Army: 96 🇪🇪Estonian Land Forces: 36 🇳🇴Norwegian Army: 28

[@monaq9411]

+ India 100 units

[@Khftg]

+Austrailia 🇦🇺 30

[@sunny-wn5do]

Turkey +++

[@2.Cuzzzz]

All CV90 orders (made in SWEDEN) Denmark, 45 wagons of CV9035 Mk3, ordered in 2002, delivered 2007-2011 Estonia, 44 wagons of CV9035NL Mk3. Finland, 102 wagons of CV9030FIN Mk2 (57+45), ordered in 1998, delivered 2003-2006 The Netherlands, 192 CV9035NL Mk3 wagons, ordered in 2002, delivered 2007-2011 Norway, 104 wagons of CV9030N Mk1, ordered in 1990, delivered 1994-1996. CV90 Mk3b ordered 2012, delivered 2015-2018. Switzerland, 186 wagons of CV9030 Mk2, ordered in 1998, delivered 2003-2006. Ukraine: Sweden sent 51 wagons of version C

[@arizonabusinessleague918]

Please no more weapons to countries with Peaceful religion. Good list otherwise

[@r_ic7]

We support south korea from Philippines citizenry

[@kevinjenner9502]

S Korea reached an agreement in April to lend the US 500,000 155 mm artillery shells.

[@thothfund]

South Korea is one of the strongest allies of the United States and NATO, and South Koreans have never forgotten that they were freed from colonial rule by winning World War II and were helped by the United States and the United Nations in the Korean War.

[@RRrico0625]

They didn't win WW2 since they were part of Axis as Japanese citizen.

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

Hello👋

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

@@brandonpak2445 hello where are you from?

[@catto-m]

Koreans have also never forgotten that it was the allied powers that divided Korea into two instead of Japan and also how the US colluded with Japan to colonize the Philippines while Japan raped Korea in 1905, the infamous Gasthra -Taft treaty.

[@user-jc62a7v28]

The fact is South Korea fought in Korean war without a single tank They literally moved from the third world to first world despite having neither natural resource and locational benefits. This is the most unique case in history.

[@lofiguy8136]

Biggest respect to this beautiful country and it's people

[@balmung12341]

우리는 도망칠 곳이 없습니니다 두가지 선택지만이 있죠. 죽임을 당하거나 살아남아 강해지거나. 한국은 후자고, 살아남았습니다. 도망칠 곳이 없는 사람들은 강해질 수 밖에 없습니다.

[@sookyb]

@@balmung12341more South Koreans should be supporting Palestine then, and not providing Israel with weapons to commit genocide.

[@user-vc3pn2mi8c]

​​@@sookyb본인은 팔레스타인 독립을 지지하지만, 그것이 이스라엘과 단절해야 하는 이유가 되진 않음. 엄연히 따지면 팔레스타인과 이스라엘에게 이중사기한 영국이 책임지고 해결해야 함

[@Impossibility_Theorem]

@@sookyb 한국인이며, 분명 한국 내에서도 이스라엘의 정치적 올바름에 대해 회의적인 여론이 많이 형성되고는 있고, 나의 생각으로는 이스라엘이 기존의 팔레스타인 영토를 90% 되돌려주고, 전쟁배상금을 물어야 한다고 생각하지만, 현실적으로 또는 정치와 군사적인 측면에서 미국과 동맹인 한국이 미국과 동맹인 이스라엘에 반대하는것은 굉장히 이성적이지 못하고 절대 많은 부분에서 합리적이지 않기에 다른 방법이 없다. 지원하지는 않지만 팔레스타인의 인명 피해와 전쟁의 아픔을 위로한다. 한국에서.

[@kyungshim6483]

It's about time Korea develops militarily to the fore of the world. For thousands of years unfriendly neighbors tried to acquire Korea.

[@jaycox3207]

Korea has long and rich history indeed. Their DNA is very good. Very competitive if you can take a look at their history for the past 1500 yrs, how they survived from China and Japan.

[@ac1455]

South Korea is our most powerful allied country militarily. A modern, large economy focused on industrial exports and manufacturing in industries relevant such as shipbuilding and vehicles, and the largest military of our Allies by personnel due to conscription.

[@tiefblau2780]

The South Korean military later confirmed that one of their missiles failed soon after it was launched and crashed - this was separate to the ones launched with the US. The military also said that the Hyunmoo-2 missile carried a warhead but that it did not explode, and apologised for causing worry.

[@mochiebellina8190]

sounds like 1930s japan all over again. Building a war based economy will only result in one outcome.

[@P01tava]

​@tiefblau2780 Meanwhile russian missiles casually hitting themselves back for multiple times:

[@dritemolawzbks8574]

Are you speaking on behalf of the United States, or another ally of South Korea?

[@sosked78]

@@dritemolawzbks8574I'm assuming NATO.

[@tonyraffetto931]

Korea factories are a whole nother level

[@KoRbA2310]

By this point we can already see that Koreans are Poles of Asia. Love you guys, stay strong, stay awesome!

[@13BulliTs]

lol, I love the Poles, but no Korea is far ahead in technological aspect.

[@ecognitio9605]

Poles can't even build a working toilet, they can clean e'm though 😂

[@melkor2024]

As a Korean, I think our histories due to geo-political circumstances are very similar and a sense of compatriotism follows correspondingly despite being on opposite sides of the globe XD

[@AllenTolbert-ld9ms]

Good job South Korea You're not sleep like the rest of the 🌎 on trouble brewing help all like minded countries like you South Korea Is A Force For Good

[@michaelmazowiecki9195]

Given the Korean approach to mass, automated production, it is more than likely they will meet their military manufacturing targets.

[@Booz2020]

Slava 🇹🇼 Heroyam TAIWANese 🦾

[@mattkennedy6115]

North Korea builds one bootleg sub: “look how powerful we are” South Korea: “yea that’s cute but….”

[@siddude]

Just imagine if North Korea was re-united under South Korea's democratic government and leadership. It would be a significant economic and political power in the world.

[@AndreaDoesYoga]

Incredible production speed, South Korea! 🚀

[@deemwinch]

bot

[@houseplant1016]

@@deemwinch She has 30K subs and is my yoga bae, respect her pls

[@murderofcrows2179]

Viva columbia

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

Hi 👋

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

@@deemwinch hi 👋

[@mav7079]

Today, Korea signed the more than USD2bil deal with Australia on 'Redback' the fighting tank. Just amazing.

[@user-nl1we8mp2q]

그것은 적자이다 ㅋㅋㅋ 처음수출엔 한국은 이것저것 손해를 보고 판매한다. 폴란드처럼

[@AhperoKerek]

I love South Korea so much

[@FiveSolas1]

Because South Korea has been preparing factories and workers to produce military arms against threats from North Korea, it is able to deliver military arms to Poland in short time. However, many NATO countries have reduced their capacities to produce military arms due to the long peace after the Cold War. South Korea could take an important part of supply of military arms among the 'free countries' I think.

[@EAFSQ9]

It's likely they will. They have the capacity and capital to basically beat out other defense manufacturers or newcomers to the industry.

[@johnnybaum7957]

Only Europe has not the USA.

[@hugorhodano8428]

@@johnnybaum7957 China has increased their navy capability drastically in last few years. I don't think US can keep up that quick tempo. Even USA need international partner and South Korea is a big shipbuilding nation.

[@muchsoso8468]

We South Korea is arming not just to repel the attack from north korea. We are to occupy our northern territory and reunify us Koreans.

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

Hi 👋

[@agentscu11y]

Hanwha acquired Samsung-Techwin(2014), Daewoo Shipbuilding (2023)

[@Nerinav1985]

Fear is a great motivator. For Seoul, North Korea's threat is overwhelming. Cold war never ended in this peninsula. Perhaps the Russian military adventurism will have the same effect on Europe. Making them more competitive. Grace ❗

[@mattkennedy6115]

For Poland maybe. Germany and Britain seem to be sitting on their hands

[@13BulliTs]

Underwhelming is more likely, lol Yes they have a big army on paper, but they are isolated since 1953 and their weapons are not so modern as the South Korean army. They have no experience in battle and their soldiers are malnourished. If they have the same top down structure as Russia and most likely worse, then they are in a world of hurt. It is a smart move of them to develop nukes, bc that is the only thing what will save them.

[@user-vn5ms3vi8s]

Korea is not a country that has suffered for a long time. Korea is neither a small country nor a country that has historically been invaded. You should abandon your false prejudices against Korea. Because it's not true. And Korea is not even in its golden age. When the two Koreas become one again, a true golden age will come

[@seoul_louis9584]

저출산 안보세요? 출생인구 겨우 20만 명임

[@rewanolrwngow]

Impressive South Korea!

[@johndewey6358]

Good job South Korea. We need to replenish our arsenal of democracy.

[@jaja3359]

😂😂😂

[@MA-hn9vo]

LOL

[@worldoftancraft]

The Demokratizator himself has arrived

[@flavius5722]

South Korea is going to humiliate both France and Germany at this rate of delivery

[@willmwillmos5142]

Blabla

[@willmwillmos5142]

Blabla

[@Oblivisci........]

​@@willmwillmos5142🤡

[@einfachmarvin8793]

Germany could easily produce lots more, but politicians say no

[@flavius5722]

@@einfachmarvin8793 Than you will remain with the politicians but I don't think anybody will buy them , and certain they will not prevent a war

[@lofiguy8136]

Huge love❤ of this amazing people and the nation of smart hard working with no bs just getting the job done with quality. They literally build everything even space development. This is the country i want to live in the future. ❤ Korea ❤

[@tumelokhasake4243]

Thank you South Korea

[@change9517]

As a South Korean, I'm happy but also sad because our military industry grew from threat by North Korea.. Being good at Military export is great, but it is better to not have a neighbor that threatens to make your capital city a sea of fire.

[@joerosen5464]

But sooner or later, every country eventually finds itself in the same position. There has never been a shortage of tyrants & demagogues in the history of mankind, and there certainly isn't now thanks to all the Internet FAKE NEWS that feeds the fires of the evils of Populism. Better that your country is prepared to protect itself by way of demonstrating military strength than trying to appease deranged pathological lying narcissistic bullies. Strength is the only thing a bully understands👹. Force is the only thing a bully fears.👺

[@chrisburke624]

Yeah, that's probably a fair position to have. On the up side, having that crazy neighbour has made you guys one of the world's best suppliers of military hardware, and I'm glad the world is starting to recognize what Korea can offer

[@savagex466-qt1io]

You dont have the fire power to turn North Korea citys to fire. However your allies do. God bless you and may your country stay free from cruel dicktators..

[@change9517]

@@chrisburke624 It is good when you work in defense industry. It is not good when you work in other sectors. Foreigners don't invest in tech companies because they think it can literally explode because of North Korean missiles

[@mikemartin6748]

You can't always choose your neighbors, but you can choose your friends and South Korea has wisely chosen the friend with the biggest and baddest nuclear arsenal in the world. Although I agree with South Korea that the US needs to redeploy nuclear weapons to South Korea. We withdrew them after the end of the cold war, but it's time to admit that the cold war is back

[@anirprasadd]

Good to see south korea ramping up its defense industry.

[@blacksheepdog6969]

they have an absolute advantage because they are willing to cede so much of their industry to foreign powers. the US can't do that because of national security reasons.

[@edwardkim8972]

Hanwha Defense is like a combination of Lockheed and BAE Systems.

[@moshesmoving]

WSJ reporter appeared to be speaking from within the War Memorial of Korea, a museum about war and warfare. An interesting place to visit when in Seoul.

[@dellyspice]

and the ticket is FREE ~!!

[@user-rj5vt6zx7q]

NATO needs to include Japan and South Korea on the Pacific side.

[@Masada1911]

And Australia. And Taiwan.

[@amungust4054]

NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Having pacific nations does not really make sense. NATO's goal is to keeping Russia from invading Europe. South Korea and Japan don't really have the power projection to help in the European theater. What's needed is a different but similar collective security/defense organization in Asia to counter China/North Korea. It doesn't really make sense to have European countries outside the ones that could project power in this organization. This organization would be allied with NATO,. So basically a Pacific-Indian Ocean Treaty Organization (PIOTO) with Japan, SK, Vietnam, Philippines, India, Australia, and the US. Additional member states that could join would be Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the UK and France (The European countries technically own islands in the Pacific/Indian Ocean, and also have useful power projection capabilities with ships and submarines).

[@maxklinger1494]

I mean, the "north atlantic" part might be a bit problematic tho 😅

[@brunoheggli2888]

And the Vatican!

[@JamesL0717]

​@@brunoheggli2888Dem popes will destroy the Russians 😂😂😂

[@chinobandito7625]

Amazing they lower costs through automation. Briliant!

[@NS-hq6mw]

The west should be done underestimating South Korea by now

[@donovanalvarez372]

Amazing good job South Korea

[@lasvegascity]

True beasts made from the combination of both soviet and the u.s techs 👍👍

[@thomaslam5565]

Well educated, team work, hard working, always having a sense of danger and a democratic system are the key to the success of Korea in the world. Same in Japan and Taiwan.

[@veritasetscientia6567]

No, Not the same in Japan and Taiwan. Japan is ruled by one party for long time. It’s not a democracy in terms of western style. Taiwan is too small. and small PRC. Only democratic country is South Korea in Asia in terms of western style democracy.

[@B4sicKnowledge]

@@veritasetscientia6567 Only democratic country? You forgot to mention how Korea has lots of corruption within their government

[@defender626]

@@veritasetscientia6567 You do not know the meaning of dictatorship. Japan is a country that can have a leader who reflects the will of the people. Therefore, it is not a dictatorship. The expression dictatorship is not appropriate for Japan, which has a system that extends the regime if it does well and judges the regime if it does not.

[@wonhong8287]

Not Taiwan. They could never be compared with k or j.

[@AACANE]

@@defender626 뭔 개소리여. 일본은 전후 70년이상을 대부분 자민당이 정권을 독점해온 나라다. 본질적으로 중국 공산당과 크게 다르지 않아. 중국도 어쨌든 지도자는 일정기간을 채우면 바뀌니까. 일본이 잘하면 정권을 연장하고, 못하면 정권을 심판하는 체제를 갖고 있다는 말은 희대의 개소리다. 일본은 그냥 정치에 무관심한 일본인들을 이용해 정치인을 세습화하고 그런놈들이 모여 70년간 자민당 1당 독재를 해온 독재국가다.

[@MrBashem]

Let's not forgot South Korea also produces many others that could be converted to war time specially since these same companies are the ones making the weapons like Samsung.

[@jyd1384]

If the US weapon builders supplied cheaper & reliable army equipment to the Korean army, South Korean weapon developers might not have changed themselves as new weapon suppliers instead of the US, Germany, and France. Until now, most Korean military generals don't have positive eyes on the US weapon systems, which means American weapons are too expensive and need too high maintenance costs. Thus, the defense ministry in Korea had to build a plan that Korea should develop its typical weapons instead of purchasing expensive American weapons. They needed the weapon itself to protect their territories against North Korea & China's intimidations but the US weapon makers sold luxury gold machines that needed big bucks to South Korea. The US weapon makers should modify their development methods and marketing strategy to defend their market share against Korean weapon makers' tracking. Not all pro-America nations can purchase expensive American weapons since many of them don't have enough big defense budgets.

[@georgebrantley776]

I don't think the US government wants the US to be the sole supplier of military weaponry to its allies. Of course they want the US to be a major supplier, as that means money, but it is also important to have a diverse set of both higher end and lower end equipment, as well as a well distributed supply chain so that there are many redundancies in the military supply chain in case of war.

[@busyhoneybee4517]

what is reasonable weapon price? If you don't pay the money, just you don't buy it. That's it. If you can't afford to buy US weapon, then buy Wakanda weapon. Korean weapon industries development is nothing to do with US weapon price.

[@ericyoon956]

The reason for the development of Korea's defense industry is simple. This is because Korea is the world's fifth industrial country and has a strong manufacturing base. It is natural for companies to pioneer overseas markets because their own markets alone do not make great profits. Only because major countries such as the United States already occupy the global defense industry, it took a long time to enter the niche market. Korean companies are well aware that there is a high risk of threat or check to the defense industry of allies such as the U.S. if they become competitors. So it looks like they're going to go in the direction of mutual cooperation with allies

[@AlexandraSandra-ho3wz]

Hi 👋

[@andrewthacker114]

Impressive production.Thanks for sharing

[@b21raider27]

Great job. South Korea also makes good products.

[@mel816]

Fun fact: the Howitzers shown in this video were previously made by Samsung's military division (Samsung Techwin) before Samsung sold their military/defense business to Hanwha in 2014.

[@rifqitaqiuddin]

To be fair. For the west, the thing that change the view of south korea from "Military developer with little export success" and "Military Export Giants" are the Polish MASSIVE contract. For us indonesians. Korea has been and always been a Military Export Giants.

[@jamiek1714]

All of us democracies should work together and have unity. We are battling evil forces. Great to see WSJ doing this.

[@NangNangEE]

We go Together. ❤

[@user-gw6cx7uz1c]

Hanwha Aerospace is not a Korean Lockheed Martin but a Korean General Dynamics.

[@JohnDoe-mx6xh]

Poland: I think I should get some weapons...maybe Korean? (Loud panting and huffing sound out the door) Poland: yeah, I have to buy some- (Knocking at the door) Korea: Here, take.

[@incyphe]

The reporter is very well informed!

[@davisoaresalves5179]

There's nothing South Koreans can't be the best at, look at the music industry.

[@edwardkim8972]

But it's so stressful being a Korean. Just look at that high suicide rate and low birthrate.

[@davisoaresalves5179]

@@edwardkim8972 and how do they make the best chill music in the world?

[@LuckyDuckie115]

Pretty much any industry south korea set its eyes on, expect it to be a leader within a decade, impressive. They just started to heavily invest in other aerospace (satellite internet, space launch / rockets etc..), so can't wait to see what happens with that

[@jgl4443]

Long live Poland! from R.O.K

[@yeetian2774]

That explains why Russia ask for ammunitions from the North.

[@Kevin-ps9yf]

2:01 unlike soviet was retreated on europe, south korea is still threaten by the two hostile nation above the DMZ. This is main reason why south korea keep the weapon industries even cold war was ended.

[@Goodspiri]

All is well!

[@user-px4mz3iu1s]

nevjerojatna zemlja,nepostoji šta nemogu proizvest i to brzo i kvalitetno

[@willmwillmos5142]

Hyundai

[@JaeyGim-jk2zt]

Korean military have to overcome weather in S.Korea it gets hot during the summer and gets -30 degrees in winter means Korean products will do well in any condition

[@doodskie999]

And just to let you know, some part of these production is made by Samsung

[@captain0310]

Overpromising? 90% of production is automated. Any overpromising that NATO members have to watch out for is too much reliance on the US and Germany. Poland knows their history and will not wait for the US and Germany to get their act together.

[@jameshallahan4376]

South Korean women are beautiful

[@knpark2025]

If my country's industry can help other countries arm themselves against tyranny as well, I'm happy to see my country do its part to make the Free World a safer place.

[@nikkotan2840]

What If The US completely withdraws it's Military Presence from the Peninsula? What Would Happened to South Korea? What Would Happened Next?

[@muruganr4517]

​@@nikkotan2840 if china and Russia stop helping north Korea then those people will be freed from the dictator Kim's family and breath the free air

[@catalindeluxus8545]

It's not hard to imagine what Russia, China, and NK would do if given carte blanche over another independent country.

[@worldoftancraft]

​@@catalindeluxus8545exactly what France does with given by herself carte blanche in Africa?

[@platinum2905]

Who is the free world? The tycoon politicians who order wars for oil in the US? Or maybe the narco states who use fear and intimidation to create their world of misoginy and tyrany? Yes keep telling yourself you are doing the world a great favor. After all, people need to be fooled somehow that what they're doing is a good thing.

[@user-fq7vs8dl5k]

I want to know who built that badass crane that lifted that section of the ship.

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

Samsung or Hyundai of course. 😂

[@Delivered130]

One from Sweden, called Tears of Malmoe

[@mirrorflame1988]

You know, Korans entered the car market and now the military car market! Man they love their mobility! XD

[@vmpgsc]

Fast delivery based on industrial capacity is the gateway drug for customers. Then, capabilities, support, and tech transfer help sustain sales momentum worldwide.

[@lil----lil]

U got Winnie in china AND chubby little Kim to the north. South Korea had no choice but to become REALLY GOOD at manufacturing - AND - to strike back HARD if necessary.

[@diealready6274]

We already had these production capabilities against North Korea, every korean man who served in military knows our army loves artillery. We got so many armored vehicles like stalin

[@coolkevs2371]

south korea should keep their arms they have unstable neigbhor just north of them

[@JamesL0717]

I'm sure they can churn out fast enough to meet both international and national needs. In fact, it's better this way since they can improve by exporting their weapons and see it in use in other countries and get better feedback, not to mention the money used to purchase them can be used as more R&D.

[@stipe3124]

With all this K9 howitzers Poland will bark and bite strong 🤔😅

[@marshalniel]

Indonesia also get their Subs from the SK, but from different shipbuilder (Daewoo). Crazy that this chaebol can makes you everything you need

[@_Saracen_]

future Arasaka Megacorp perhaps

[@AACANE]

인도네시아에서 약속되어있던 2차 잠수함 구매를 일방적으로 취소해버렸고, 빠른 납기를 위해 미리 부품을 주문하고 제작하고 있던 대우가 매우 난감해 하고있다. 결국 인도네시아에 보내질 계획이었던 잠수함은 최근 더욱 최신형으로 개량되어 필리핀 차기 잠수함계획에 제안될 예정이다.

[@matth7448]

Now that submarine is one that wont implode

[@leonardleonunu]

The closing comment is a joke, none of the western arms manufacturers ever come close to deliver anything remotely on time as promised (most actually gone over budget and held customers at gun point to pay more or cancel).

[@busyhoneybee4517]

Ppali Ppali is the masterkey for all the questions.

[@ysa4473]

Doesn’t revealing the process of making weapons mean there are no more wars? When the entire weapon manufacturing process is revealed, how can the weapon have secret destructive power?

[@s.p2483]

Korean peninsula is becoming World's weapon bay, both South and North. South Korea for the blue team and North for the red.