Lawmaker urges wider Korea-US defense cooperation on production, MRO, supply chain

Rep. Yoo Yong-won of the People Power Party said Wednesday that South Korea and the United States need to broaden their defense cooperation beyond joint production to include maintenance, repair and overhaul, follow-on logistics support, and the supply chain.

Yoo made the remarks in his opening speech at the "2026 AMCHAM-National Assembly Policy Seminar: The Future of Korea-US Defense Cooperation" at the National Assembly Members' Office Building that day. Yoo co-hosted the seminar with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, known as AMCHAM. "Now is the time for South Korea and the United States to think about what they will build together," he said.

"I find it very meaningful that we are holding this policy seminar with AMCHAM at the National Assembly for the first time," Yoo said. "This occasion carries special significance in that we are putting our heads together with AMCHAM, which has served as a bridge connecting South Korean and American companies, on the topic of defense industry cooperation."

Yoo, drawing on his more than 30 years of experience covering the defense and defense industry scene, noted that South Korea's standing in the defense industry has changed significantly over that period.

"Beyond simply importing US weapons systems and technology, our weapons systems are now gaining recognition for their competitiveness in the global market, and South Korea is establishing itself as a major defense exporter," he said. "The United States, too, is expanding industrial cooperation with allies to strengthen its defense production base and supply chain."

Given these changes, Yoo assessed that the way Korea and the US approach defense cooperation must also change.

"If our companies participate more broadly in the US defense market, and American companies make use of South Korea's excellent production base and technological capabilities, the scope of Korea-US defense cooperation can expand even further," he said.

However, he pointed out that there remain significant challenges to overcome in order to turn this cooperation into tangible results.

"We need to resolve, one by one, the institutional issues raised in the field, such as procurement, export controls and technology security," Yoo added.

"Defense cooperation in which we jointly develop, jointly produce and jointly maintain can become another pillar that strengthens the Korea-US alliance," he said. "I, too, will do my best on the National Assembly's National Defense Committee to pursue the necessary institutional improvements and policy support."