YIDEX 2026, held in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do in April [Yonhap News Archive] 

An analysis suggests that South Korea's defense industry is benefiting from the U.S. stepping back from its role of ensuring global security and demanding greater defense burden-sharing from its allies.

Politico, an American political news outlet, reported on the 20th (local time) that U.S. President Donald Trump is causing anxiety in Europe by scaling back American security commitments to the continent, which has paved the way for South Korea to emerge as a major global arms dealer.

The outlet recalled that in 1969, then-U.S. President Richard Nixon announced the "Nixon Doctrine," which stated that "allies must take responsibility for their own security." Following this, South Korea, under President Park Chung-hee, began investing heavily in its defense industry and actively acquiring licenses for foreign weapon production.

As a result, South Korea has become the world's ninth-largest arms exporter and is considered one of the fastest-growing arms exporting nations globally.

Furthermore, the total projected sales for South Korea's four major defense companies—Hanwha Group, Hyundai Rotem, LIG Nex1, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)—are expected to reach $37 billion this year, a nearly fourfold increase from 2021.

Notably, the outlet highlighted that South Korea has become the second-largest supplier of weapons to NATO European member states, following the United States.

Politico pointed out that President Trump has pressured NATO members to increase their defense spending and has sowed distrust in U.S. security commitments. The publication also noted that member states have significant dissatisfaction with Trump's actions, including imposing tariffs and making harsh remarks towards allies.

Additionally, the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the recent conflict involving Iran have increased the demand for weapons. The report stated, "All these circumstances are creating fundamental uncertainty in the global arms market, and South Korea is ready to capitalize on it."

In particular, since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, "South Korea has emerged as a reliable alternative supplier for anxious Eastern European governments," with Poland becoming South Korea's largest customer after signing a $13.7 billion arms deal.

The report also mentioned that South Korean weapons have been receiving more positive evaluations for their performance following the recent conflict involving Iran.

Politico identified the strengths of South Korea's defense industry as rapid delivery, price competitiveness, and an open attitude towards technology transfer and local production. The analysis also cited the relatively low political burden for importing countries as an advantage.

The outlet observed, "Many Europeans are not fond of the Trump administration. It is difficult to imagine purchasing weapons from adversarial nations like China or Russia. Israel's reputation has been tarnished by the Gaza War."

However, the publication predicted that the competitive landscape for South Korea's defense industry will intensify as European countries foster their own defense industries and Japan eases its weapon export regulations.