SIHEUNG, South Korea (January 28, 2026) — A delegation consisting of approximately 10 personnel from the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and officials from the ROK Ministry of National Defense (MND) visited the Korea Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center (KAMIC) at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) in Siheung.
The visit, which included representatives from the U.S. 8th Army and 7th Air Force, aimed to assess the current state of AM utilization in the defense sectors of both nations. Participants discussed establishing institutional frameworks to bridge technical and administrative gaps, fostering a more robust collaborative environment.
During the facility tour and briefing, KAMIC showcased its expeditionary AM systems for field applications and its professional training programs for metal AM specialists. Dr. Yong Son, Head of KAMIC, emphasized the center’s readiness, stating, “We are currently co-developing technologies with domestic military agencies and private enterprises to enable on-site part production in battlefield environments. We are fully prepared to cooperate closely with the MND to implement these solutions.”
Furthermore, building upon the 2025 MOU between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the MND regarding AM technology, both parties held in-depth discussions on standardization and adoption strategies. Major Choi Eui-seong of the MND’s Equipment Management Division added, “The ROK MND will provide full support to facilitate bilateral cooperation in additive manufacturing.”
The seminar and tour provided a platform for both sides to share insights on the production of metal and plastic AMed components and to observe equipment demonstrations, significantly enhancing mutual understanding. KITECH KAMIC plans to continue its partnership with the MND to bolster the global competitiveness of domestic AM technology and drive the digital transformation of the defense manufacturing industry.
