The Republic of Korea is now hosting a weapons exhibition amidst ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.

On Tuesday, South Korea started a weeklong international aerospace and defense exposition at a military airfield in close proximity to Seoul. The primary objective of this biannual event is to use it as a platform to enhance the exportation of the nation's fighter planes, rocket launchers, drones, and other weaponry.

The current event, with around 550 firms from 34 nations and government delegations from 57 countries, is taking place amidst escalating global tensions caused by the Israel-Gaza scenario and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The East Asian region is characterized by persistent tensions that have been brewing for an extended period of time, particularly with regard to the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan.

A significant number of business executives, government officials, and military personnel gathered at the airfield located in the Seoul suburb of Seongnam to see the cutting-edge technology and weaponry shown at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition. The nation has been the host of the event biennially since 1996.

During his address at the inaugural event, President Yoon Suk Yeol presented various military assets, including aircraft, helicopters, tanks, and howitzers, which were manufactured by prominent Korean companies such as Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Hanwha Aerospace, and Hyundai Rotem.

"Our defense industry is making new history, creating something from nothing," Yoon added. A nation that formerly depended on foreign help and imports has made significant strides in its technological capabilities, enabling it to manufacture and sell cutting-edge fighter aircraft. The government aims to provide an environment that fosters the ongoing growth of our military sector.

South Korea, a nation that has historically encountered threats and provocations from its neighboring country North Korea, has progressively developed a highly proficient armaments industry. In recent years, there has been a notable emergence of this entity as a significant provider of guns, facilitating the sale of a diverse range of weaponry to nations throughout Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia.