Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) students have announced research findings proposing a new "weapon system self-reliance" metric to replace existing evaluation frameworks in the defense industry, drawing attention from the academic community.

JBNU Defense Industry Convergence Program students Go Dong-hyeon and Shin Chae-i recently published a paper containing these findings in the Journal of the Korean Defense Industry Association (a Korea Research Foundation‑indexed journal), the most prestigious academic journal in the domestic defense industry field.

The paper points out the structural limitation of the long-used "parts localization rate" indicator for evaluating South Korea's weapon system localization level, namely that it has remained a single figure focused on finished products or components. The study importantly introduces a new concept of a "self-reliance indicator" that holistically considers materials, components, and technology.

The research team proposed an evaluation framework that can more precisely diagnose the actual technological and industrial self-reliance levels across weapon systems, rather than relying on a simple parts localization ratio. In particular, they systematically analyzed how existing indicators failed to adequately reflect dependence on foreign sources for key components, vulnerabilities in materials and foundational technologies, supply chain structure, and technology control risks—limitations that constrained policy decision-making.

In a global context where the importance of advanced materials, core technologies, and supply chain stability is rapidly increasing, this research is evaluated as providing a starting point for more sophisticated and strategic decision-making in domestic weapon development and localization policy formulation.

At the core of the study is the establishment of three key axes—components, materials, and technology—reflecting the specific characteristics of the defense industry, while applying weights for supply chain concentration and dependence on specific countries. Through this, the study is the first to introduce an evaluation concept that encompasses material competitiveness, the domestic accumulation level of core technologies, technology controls, and supply chain stability.

Furthermore, by modifying and applying self-reliance analysis techniques used in general industry to fit the characteristics of the defense industry, the researchers established a defense-industry‑specific concept and analytical framework for self-reliance and integrated detailed indicators into a single composite metric. This is regarded as an important milestone for advancing strategies to enhance South Korea's weapon system self-reliance by providing a new standard for three-dimensional diagnosis.

This achievement is also a visible outcome of the Defense Industry Convergence major newly established at JBNU in 2025. While enrolled, Go Dong-hyeon and Shin Chae-i completed coursework covering defense policy, advanced technologies, and global competencies. They also participated in the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's national certification program for Defense Project Managers, the K-Defense Forum, and expert lectures, deepening their understanding and awareness of issues across the defense industry.

The study was carried out under the supervision of Professor Jang Won-jun of JBNU's Department of Advanced Defense Technology and Industry. Based on organic linkage with a curriculum spanning theory, policy, and the field, the work academically organized the limitations of existing evaluation systems and proposed a new indicator that can replace or complement them. It is evaluated as an example that demonstrates a virtuous cycle model for K-Defense education and research.

Go Dong-hyeon and Shin Chae-i stated, "The establishment of a program and department at JBNU that allows systematic study of the defense industry, an advanced industrial field, represents a great opportunity for students. We will continue this research by expanding it into an empirical analysis applying actual weapon system data so that South Korea's defense industry self-reliance level can be evaluated more accurately and comprehensively."