“We Will Serve as a Catalyst in Fostering a Startup Ecosystem to Address Youth Unemployment”

Minister Ahn Gyu-back holds a meeting with young entrepreneurs.

Highlights the Defense Start-up Challenge's "ladder role."

Emphasizes creating an environment where innovative ideas can evolve into successful startups.

Pledges opportunities through diverse programs

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, center front, poses for a photo with young entrepreneurs who participated in the Defense Start-up Challenge during a meeting at the MND Convention Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Feb. 4.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back discussed the Ministry of National Defense's role in addressing youth unemployment and facilitating the transition to a startup-centric society during a meeting with young entrepreneurs.

Minister Ahn held a luncheon meeting with young entrepreneurs from past Defense Start-up Challenge at the MND Convention Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on February 4. This marks the first time a defense minister has directly engaged with young entrepreneurs in this manner.

The meeting was attended by nine entrepreneurs who had previously participated in the Defense Start-up Challenge. They expressed that the problem awareness and on-site experience gained during their military service were substantially helpful in running their businesses as well as exploring startup ideas.

Minister Ahn stressed, "In line with the 'startup-centric society' recently presented by President Lee Jae-myung, the Ministry of National Defense will also act as a catalyst to foster a startup ecosystem to address youth unemployment. We will create an environment where soldiers can actively discover startup ideas during their military service and translate these ideas into actual startups upon returning to society."

He added, "Young entrepreneurs who planted the seeds of ideas during their military service and reaped the fruits of startups after discharge will also contribute to the development of both the military and the nation. Through various programs such as startup competitions, the Ministry of National Defense will provide soldiers with opportunities for challenge and growth, and strengthen direct communication with them."

The meeting also confirmed that the Defense Start-up Challenge serves not only as an ideas competition but also as a "startup ladder" that leads to actual startups and commercialization, as many competition participants have successfully launched startups based on their competition entries and achieved remarkable results in both domestic and overseas markets.

Lee Won-cheol, president of Lingtee, said, "While serving as a military medical officer in the ROK Army Special Warfare Command, I saw soldiers exhausted and dehydrated and identified the need to develop a hydration supplement drink, which led to my startup." He then proposed ongoing communication, stating, "I have long felt the need to foster a network among entrepreneurs from the Defense Start-up Challenge, making today's gathering highly meaningful"

Park Seong-jin, President of JINPIL, said, "The experience and problem awareness gained while serving as a logistics officer continue to inspire new product development ideas." He proposed to the Ministry of National Defense a military-specialized smart RFID system that enables management using electronic tags, replacing the existing manual method of individually checking and recording items in supply and materials warehouses.

Cho Yong-in, president of Seeno, expressed his aspiration, saying, "My goal is to apply the AI-based mental health early warning system currently under study to the military. I wish to contribute to the military that shaped who I am today."

Lastly, Minister Ahn stated, "Your challenges will become a 'Can Do' message of hope for young people, beyond individual success," and pledged that the Ministry of National Defense will actively play its necessary role in the grand transition to a startup-centric nation.

By Byeong-No, Yun <[email protected] >

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