Jeonbuk National University (JBNU, President Yang O-bong) is pursuing the establishment of a Defense Industry Convergence Major based on ties with leading domestic defense companies to advance the K-defense industry and cultivate outstanding talent. JBNU is concretizing this plan by broadening cooperation with top global defense companies, research institutes, and universities.

In particular, JBNU has opened a channel of cooperation with Lockheed Martin, the world’s leading defense company with outstanding capabilities in advanced manned and unmanned aircraft development and space-related projects, and is expected to achieve notable results in the defense industry sector going forward.

Since the 13th, JBNU President Yang O-bong has been visiting the United States to secure overseas momentum for the Glocal University 30 project. During the visit, he personally met with Lockheed Martin, the world’s top defense company; the Center For Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a U.S. think tank specializing in international security and foreign affairs; and the National Defense University (NDU), thereby forming an international cooperation network in the defense industry. He also held separate discussions with officials from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), the U.S. Department of Defense’s acquisition university, to explore cooperation measures.

In an early schedule item, he met Professor Jang Yun-hyeok, who oversees Asia cooperation at the Defense Acquisition University, and exchanged views on Korean adaptation of the DAWIA law, the U.S. statute that institutionalizes the development of defense acquisition professionals.

He then visited Lockheed Martin and, in a direct meeting with David K. Sutton, Director for International Affairs, discussed establishing internships for students of the Defense Industry Convergence Major and agreed to jointly develop ongoing programs through collaborative research.

At the Center For Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), meetings with Cynthia R. Cook, Director of Defense Programs, and others produced cooperation measures for the operation of JBNU’s Defense Industry Convergence Major and for personnel exchanges.

They also discussed joint publications and the establishment of short-term training courses for JBNU students during academic breaks. Ms. Cook, noting the recent growth of South Korea’s defense industry, proposed moving forward with a joint conference in the near term.

President Yang also visited the Eisenhower School at the U.S. National Defense University and met with Dean William Seely (U.S. Marine Corps Major General). They held substantive discussions on establishing the Defense Industry Convergence Major and agreed that, upon its establishment, JBNU would participate in the NDU’s professional programs, pursue faculty exchanges, and collaborate on curriculum development.

President Yang O-bong stated, “By strengthening ties and cooperation with global companies leading the defense industry and expanding collaboration with international firms, research institutes, and military and civilian universities in related fields, JBNU can become a catalyst for the development of the K-defense industry. Through close cooperation with prominent domestic and overseas universities and research institutes, our university will supply talent tailored to regional strategic industries and establish itself as a leader in the advancement of the K-defense industry.”