Hanwha chairman calls for turning defense units into global export powerhouse

By Kim Boram

SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn has called for turning the conglomerate's defense affiliates into a global export powerhouse, as it seeks growth by selling beyond its main export destinations in Europe.

Kim made the remarks as he visited a plant of the group's key defense unit, Hanwha Aerospace Co., in Changwon, some 300 kilometers south of Seoul, on Monday, Hanwha said in a statement.

Kim said Hanwha Aerospace should "make utmost efforts to win a deal to sell K-9 (self-propelled howitzers) in Romania" and "move beyond Europe to North America and other global markets," according to the statement.

Kim also called for technological innovation of its defense business based on artificial intelligence and unmanned technologies, the statement said.

Kim's visit to the Changwon plant was accompanied with his eldest son, the group's vice chairman, Kim Dong-kwan.

Hanwha Aerospace manufactures aircraft engines and defense products, including the K-9 Thunder howitzer and the K-21 armored vehicle. The engine for South Korea's homegrown space aircraft Nuri was also produced by Hanwha Aerospace.

The visit was part of the 72-year-old tycoon's recent activities, which include visits to key affiliates, such as Hanwha Aerospace's R&D Campus in Daejeon, Hanwha Life Insurance Co. and Hanwha Robotics Co., since March.

In particular, Kim's consecutive visits to Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon R&D campus and Changwon plant within about two months are seen as a sign of the company's commitment to the defense, aerospace and energy businesses, which are led by his eldest son and heir apparent, Dong-kwan.

brk@yna.co.kr
(END)