'K-defense stands on the sacrifice of fallen patriots': LIG D&A holds tribute photo exhibition at War Memorial

LIG D&A opened a photo exhibition honoring the sacrifices of war veterans Tuesday, using the occasion to lay out a future defense strategy centered on self-reliant national defense and trust.

Shin Ik-hyun, president of LIG D&A, spoke at the opening of the tribute exhibition at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul. "The War Memorial is not simply an exhibition space — it is a place where the dedication of those who gave everything to protect this country is inscribed," he said. "It is a great honor to hold this photo exhibition in such a place."

Shin addressed the question of why a defense company would organize a veterans' photo exhibition. "LIG D&A has been able to carry on its 50-year history not by the strength of the company alone, but thanks to the sacrifice of the veterans and fallen patriots who defended this country more than 70 years ago," he said. "We organized this event with a sense that we owe them a debt."

He said peace does not come on its own. "Just as the courage of those veterans preserved peace on this land, LIG D&A has spent the past 50 years dedicated to the strength that protects us," he said. "Self-reliant national defense is not a slogan — it is a commitment that must be proven every day through technology and hard work."

Shin also identified trust as a core value in defense. "In defense, trust is not proven through words but through results over time," he said. "Weapons systems must function perfectly in moments of crisis, and that is directly tied to the responsibility of being a pillar of South Korea's national assets."

On future strategy, Shin pointed to AI, unmanned systems and autonomous platforms as the company's direction. "With troop numbers declining due to the low birth rate and a growing emphasis on preserving human life, unmanned systems are not optional — they are essential," he said. "Korea can lead in this field." He acknowledged, however, that AI-based autonomous decision-making systems still present unresolved technical challenges, adding that LIG D&A is working with Palantir and Anduril to build up its capabilities.

Shin also shared a recent example of that collaboration. "Last month, with support from Palantir, we demonstrated our own unmanned automated system in Busan," he said. "We will expand into a new concept of warfare that integrates ground and space domains."

On the company's investment in Ghost Robotics, Shin said LIG D&A secured domestic licensing rights in April. "We plan to introduce quadruped robots this year to accumulate data on sensor and weapons integration and swarm operations, and we are also pursuing entry into overseas markets including the Middle East," he said.

Shin said the company would continue to support national security through the development of advanced domestically produced weapons and expansion into overseas markets. "Carrying on the sacrifice of veterans and fallen patriots to the next generation is an important responsibility of this company," he said.

The "LIG D&A 50th Anniversary Korean War Veterans Tribute Photo Exhibition" runs through July 12 at the second-floor special exhibition hall of the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul.