S.Korean Army opens Future & Innovation Research Center at KAIST

South Korean army announced that the Korea Army Research Center for Future & Innovation, a defense-related advanced science and technology research institution, was inaugurated on Monday at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon.

The center, which was established in 2018 through the reorganization of the Korea Army Institute of Land Warfare located within the Republic of Korea Army Headquarters in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province, has been relocated to KAIST after expanding its organization to maximize research effectiveness.

As a result of this relocation, the center's organization has been expanded from a two-division structure to five technology research divisions, including the Unmanned & Manned Systems Division, Space and Laser Division, AI & Cyber Division, Hyperconnectivity & Surveillance Reconnaissance Division and High Power & High Mobility Division.

In addition, the center plans to assign military engineers with a master's degree or higher from KAIST or the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) to ensure that talented individuals can dedicate themselves to research without career disruptions.

The Army explained that the idea for the center's relocation was inspired by the establishment of the US Army Futures Command, a key unit responsible for military modernization, which created a base at the University of Texas, Austin, adjacent to educational institutions and industries.

"Since our establishment, it is the first time that our military organization has been established within civilian educational and research institutions," an Army official stated. "The Army's intention to maintain the driving force of Defense Innovation 4.0 and lead the transformation into an advanced science and technology powerhouse.

Write to Hae-Sung Lee at ihs@hankyung.com