Will KADEX 2026 and DX KOREA 2026 Unite? Latest Updates on South Korea’s Defense Industry Expo Conflict

Translation result [Herald Economy=Jeon Hyun-gun] South Korea’s Defense Ministry has stepped in to mediate a protracted dispute over two competing ground defense trade shows, officials say.

The ministry warned it could withdraw all military and related-agency sponsorships if the Army Association’s Korea International Defense Industry Exhibition (KADEX 2026) and DX KOREA 2026—run by Defense Expo (IDK)—do not merge by mid‑next month.

Multiple defense industry sources said the ministry held a “Defense Exhibition Integration Mediation Meeting” at the Korea Defense Industry Promotion Association on the 29th. About 10 people attended, including officials from the Defense Ministry, the Promotion Association, the Army Association and IDK.

With lawmakers and other stakeholders criticizing the proliferation and fragmentation of ground defense shows—and with concerns that the confusion could harm defense firms—the ministry moved to broker a settlement.

“We met yesterday,” a Defense Ministry official said. “Discussions are still ongoing.”

At the first meeting, participants largely restated their positions and failed to identify a clear path to agreement.

IDK proposed a jointly hosted show with the Army Association and the Promotion Association and suggested relocating the event to KINTEX in Ilsan, within the Seoul metropolitan area.

The Army Association pushed back, insisting on holding the exhibition at Gyeryongdae as it did two years ago. If Gyeryongdae proves infeasible, it offered Osong in North Chungcheong Province or another central location as alternatives.

The Army Association also drew a firm line against moving the show to the Seoul area and said it intends to retain the KADEX brand.

The Defense Ministry said it is concerned that leaving the dispute unresolved could damage the export competitiveness of K‑defense—an industry that has only recently begun drawing global attention—and undermine policy credibility. The ministry plans to make a final decision on integration by mid‑next month.

Officials plan two additional mediation meetings. If talks fail, the ministry is considering tougher measures, including cutting military and related-agency support for both KADEX 2026 and DX KOREA 2026.

Industry observers say the Defense Ministry is likely to steer the integration process and that a reorganization of ground defense exhibitions appears inevitable.

A source familiar with the matter said, “With the exhibition dates approaching, the ministry could no longer stand by. The first meeting made the gaps clear, but I expect they’ll try to narrow them in further talks.”

The source added, “Both sides are weighing options. If they can’t bridge the divide, the government can use various pressure tactics, including cutting support.”

Historically, the Army Association and IDK co‑hosted the ground defense exhibition under the DX KOREA name. They split over operating rights and revenue sharing, which led to two separate shows.

With the original DX KOREA continuing independently, the Army Association launched KADEX, and in 2024 two distinct ground defense exhibitions were held.