IntelliVIX Participates in Seminar on Strengthening Global Competitiveness of AI-Centered Korean Defense SMEs
Kang Sun-young, a member of the National Assembly, and the National Assembly AI and Our Future research group held a seminar titled “Enhancing Global Competitiveness for AI-Centered K-Small and Medium-Sized Defense Enterprises” on the afternoon of the 28th in the first small conference room of the National Assembly Hall.
The seminar was organized to seek practical solutions to overcome the “walls of systems and procedures,” recognizing the reality that defense SMEs with advanced technologies face significant difficulties in rapidly applying AI technologies to real-world defense fields.
Following the opening remarks by Rep. Kang Sun-young and congratulatory speeches by Han Ki-ho and Cho Eun-hee, Chae Yeon-ho, Head of the AI Policy Team at the Ministry of National Defense, delivered a keynote presentation titled “Development Plan for Promoting Defense AI Strategy.” Kim Deuk-hwa, CEO of Punjin, which developed an AI-based command decision support system (KWM), presented on “On-Site Challenges and Industrial Revitalization Strategies for Defense AI SMEs.” Ryu Yeon-seung, Professor at Myongji University, followed with a presentation on “Current Status and Development Plan of Defense Cloud,” after which an expert panel discussion was held.
In his keynote address, Chae explained the “Defense AX 3-3-7 Strategy,” which aims to lead future battlefields through a fundamental transformation of defense AI. The 3-3-7 strategy consists of seven core initiatives, including:
① strengthening governance, infrastructure, and ecosystem-building;
② applying AI to three areas—unmanned and autonomous systems, command, and support/administration; and
③ developing intelligent land, sea, and air weapon systems, AI-enabled combat and policy staff, smart military support systems, and AI-based military medical systems.
To support this strategy, the Ministry of National Defense plans to establish five Defense AX bases nationwide starting next year. These AX bases will function as cooperation hubs among the military, industry, and academia, providing defense data through controlled development environments such as secure rooms. The Joint Chiefs of Staff will operate an AX base in Yongsan, Seoul; the Army in Pangyo and Daejeon; the Navy and Marine Corps in Busan; and the Air Force in Yangjae, Seoul.
Kim Deuk-hwa, who presented on industry challenges, noted that it is difficult for SMEs to take a leading role in budget allocation centered on large-scale, long-term projects. He pointed out that lengthy feasibility studies and step-by-step approval procedures delay business execution, and that even civil-military cooperation systems face structural limitations due to restricted participating ministries and project scopes. He added that despite large-scale investments, defense R&D lacks a performance-linked qualitative investment system, making it difficult to quickly incorporate field feedback and emerging technologies.
As measures to revitalize defense AI SMEs, Kim suggested creating an environment to accumulate references through demonstration projects, pilot operations, and initial procurement; establishing a fast-track acquisition system that combines standardized project items with partial parallel development and procurement; creating a dedicated civil-military cooperation track that packages data access, testbeds, and demonstration projects; and designing a structure in which the Defense Acquisition Program Administration directly selects and contracts SMEs while system integrators assume integration responsibilities.
Professor Ryu highlighted that although defense cloud guidelines exist, the practical use of private clouds remains difficult. He suggested applying data classification standards based on the National Network Security Framework (N2SF) to defense and defense-related companies, utilizing CSAP-certified clouds under the government’s cloud security certification program, and revising defense industry security regulations accordingly.
He further proposed:
① applying N2SF to defense security by classifying defense data into Confidential (C), Sensitive (S), and Open (O) categories and enabling safe sharing of S- and O-grade data with the private sector; and
② allowing data sharing with private companies up to the S-grade level through CSAP-certified cloud environments.
The expert panel discussion was moderated by Shim Seung-bae, Head of the AI Information Research Division at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA). Panelists included Yoon Byung-kwon, Head of KIDA’s Data Analysis Department; Na Ho-young, Executive Director of MOREH AI Solutions; Jeong Seok-jae, Professor of Defense Business at Kwangwoon University; and Choi Eun-soo, CEO of IntelliVIX.
Director Yoon emphasized that achieving tangible outcomes requires repeatedly pursuing well-defined demands within one to two years to generate quick, incremental results. He stressed the importance of creating venues where military needs and private-sector technologies can meet, supported by demand-driven demonstration projects.
Director Na cautioned against focusing solely on the presence of AI technology, urging attention to the actual problems AI is intended to solve. He highlighted the importance of rapid contract execution, citing cases such as the UAE project and the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit, where contracts were completed within six months.
Professor Jeong identified four key challenges: the absence of a coordinating body for defense AI issues, excessively slow acquisition processes, insufficient data for AI training, and unclear accountability when AI systems fail. He proposed immediate reforms, including the introduction of a regulatory sandbox, establishment of integrated legislation and a control tower for defense AI, and, from the SME perspective, the creation of a defense-oriented open data lab, a dedicated fast-track acquisition system, and a comprehensive framework addressing responsibility, ethics, and data governance.
Choi Eun-soo, CEO of IntelliVIX, emphasized the need for a unified integration window for SME technologies in defense, the establishment of a defense data hub, improvements in field investigation practices, shortened project timelines, streamlined NIS security suitability certification processes, relaxation of security regulations and facility requirements, simplification of defense certification and testing procedures, more flexible delivery pricing and cost structures, and improved evaluation criteria for military project performance.
In his opening remarks, Rep. Kang Sun-young stated that he would work to “expand comprehensive institutional and policy support so that defense SMEs can freely pursue AI-based research and enter the global market through fair opportunities.”
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