Seoul Speeds Defense Exports with Faster Tech Transfer Rules

South Korea's Defense Ministry issued a partial revision to the enforcement decree of the Defense Science and Technology Innovation Promotion Act, cutting approval times for state-owned defense R&D technology transfers from up to two months to 30 days. The revision also allows certain repair parts exports to proceed without separate DAPA approval, and expands self-approval authority for technology-holding institutions when domestic firms manufacture repair parts for previously approved defense exports. The changes respond to surging demand for follow-up maintenance and parts supply as defense exports reached $15.44 billion in 2025 (up 62.5% year-over-year), with $37+ billion projected for 2026.