Funzin secures 13 billion KRW investment from KAI… “Collaboration on AI advisor technology development”

Deuk Hwa Kim (right), CEO of Funzin poses for a commemorative photo with representative from KAI to mark the signing of the equity investment and strategic partnership (Photo: Funzin) 

Funzin, a defense AI specialist led by CEO Deuk Hwa Kim, announced on the 21

st that it has secured a 13 billion KRW equity investment from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and entered into a strategic partnership.

The two companies plan to jointly develop core technologies required for AI pilots and AI advisors for aerial combat through mutual technical collaboration. They will work together on future battlefield readiness projects, including AI models for autonomous UAV mission execution using on-device AI technology, and AI-driven mission autonomy projects aimed at efficiently managing complex aerial assets.

KAI, as a leading aerospace systems integrator in South Korea, has successfully developed the KT-1 basic trainer, T-50 advanced trainer, Surion utility helicopter, and Songgolmae UAV. In addition, KAI is currently working on the development of an advanced light attack helicopter (LAH) for modern warfare and the KF-21 program, which is considered a key future defense asset. The company is also expanding into the space sector, with projects including the geostationary composite satellite, South Korea’s first next-generation medium satellite led by a private company, military reconnaissance satellites, and the assembly of Korean launch vehicles.

In 2023, Funzin launched Kill Web Matching (KWM), the only AI advisor technology in South Korea to reach a practical deployment stage. Within just six months, the company successfully secured its first contract. In June, Funzin demonstrated KWM’s AI advisor capabilities through a pilot operation as part of the Army’s Army Tiger Boost Project. More recently, the company was selected as one of the Top 100 Defense Innovation Companies in the AI category.

A KAI representative stated, “Through this equity investment, we expect to create strong synergies by strengthening our capabilities in AI and software development — key components for next-generation aerial combat systems — in preparation for future battlefield environments driven by unmanned and autonomous technologies.”

Deuk Hwa Kim, CEO of Funzin, stated, “By combining KAI’s aerospace technology with Funzin’s defense AI expertise, we will strive to become a leading company in the field of future defense AI.”

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