hankyoreh

South Korean President Moon Jae-in salutes from an FA-50 light fighter aircraft as he takes part in this year's Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday. (Yonhap News)

President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday attended the opening ceremony of this year's Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX 2021) at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

"By the early 2030s, we will achieve independent development of manned and unmanned aircraft engines, including jet fighters, to build our capacity to the level of the world's top seven aviation powers," he said.

Yet the chief executive's recent attendance at arms-related events has fueled fears of negative effects on inter-Korean relations and the arms race in Northeast Asia.

Prior to attending the ceremony, Moon boarded the domestically produced light fighter FA-50 at Suwon Air Base and flew over Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, Seoul National Cemetery and the War Memorial of Korea with Park Hun-bang, squadron commander of the ROK Air Force's 8th Fighter Wing, finally landing in Seongnam.

"I am the first president of the Republic of Korea to board a domestic fighter and fly through Korea’s skies," the president said. "I was able to experience the magnificent glory of the FA-50 developed with Korean technology."

"The indoor exhibition hall displays weapons systems that will lead the future defense industry including drones, robots, space equipment and laser weapons," he said, highlighting the nation's prowess in the sector.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in waves after disembarking from the fighter aircraft on Wednesday. (provided by the Blue House)

"We will proactively invest in the development of first-class 'game-changing' technology that can change the aspects of future wars," he added. "The goal of a strong defense is always peace."

President Moon's attendance at Seoul ADEX 2021 followed his visits to other related functions, like the Sept. 15 test-launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile and an Oct. 1 demonstration of military operations for land, sea and air landings to commemorate Armed Forces Day.

Foreign affairs and national security experts, however, warned that his participation in large-scale military events for the sake of national security could hamper inter-Korean relations and exacerbate the arms race in Northeast Asia.

Kim Jong-dae, a military expert and former lawmaker of the center-left Justice Party, told the Hankyoreh in a phone interview, "A paradox has appeared in that the two Koreas agreed to disarm in the 2018 inter-Korean summit but are spending resources on future arms competition."

By Lee Wan, staff reporter

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