Press Release Hanwha Group

Hanwha announces strategic partnership with IISS to establish Korea Chair

January 23, 2025

Strategically based in London for collaboration with Europe and the Middle East, the first Korea Chair will specialize in advanced technologies and national security, while supporting prestigious defense summit, IISS Shangri-La Dialogue

Hanwha and IISS representatives at the signing ceremony for the Korea Chair partnership in Singapore.

(From left to right) Gheewhan Kim, President of the Korea Foundation, Bastian Giegerich, IISS Director-General and Chief Executive, and Jeehoon Moon, Executive Vice President of Hanwha Aerospace, at the signing ceremony for the establishment of the Korea Chair at IISS

Hanwha announced a strategic partnership with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and the Korea Foundation (KF) to establish the Korea Chair at IISS. The signing ceremony took place at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore.

 

The initiative will fund a full-time Senior Fellow for Korean Security Studies — the IISS Korea Chair in Advanced Technologies, National Security, and Defense — at IISS’ London headquarters, Arundel House. The Chair will work with governments, the private sector, and global expert communities, contributing research and expertise to major international security forums, including the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue.

 

This partnership underscores Hanwha’s commitment to fostering industry dialogue and expanding its global presence in the defense and security sectors, particularly in Europe and the Middle East.

Hanwha and IISS officials discuss the IISS Korea Chair partnership in Singapore.

Representatives signing for the official launch of the Korea Chair at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore

“Hanwha’s strategic partnership with IISS, a leading global think tank in defense and security, represents a significant milestone for South Korea’s defense industry,” said Jae-il Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace. “We will continue to engage with policymakers through various initiatives and stand shoulder-to-shoulder alongside global defense companies.”

 

Bastian Giegerich, IISS Director-General and Chief Executive, added, “Advanced technology, national security, and the defense industry are evolving faster than ever. The research outcomes of the Korean Chair will make a significant contribution to these critical fields.”

 

Gheewhan Kim, President of the Korea Foundation, who facilitated the partnership between Hanwha and IISS, said the initiative marks an important expansion of Korea-focused research beyond U.S.-based think tanks. “This will broaden understanding and foster a positive perception of East Asia’s geopolitical issues and South Korea’s defense industry across the EU, NATO, and the Middle East,” he added.

 

Founded in 1958 in the United Kingdom, IISS is a globally recognized think tank specializing in nuclear deterrence, arms control, and international security. It is best known for hosting the Shangri-La Dialogue and the Manama Dialogue, two of the world’s most influential defense summits.

 

 

Hanwha Group

 

Hanwha is South Korea’s seventh-largest business group, with innovative businesses in the areas of aerospace & mechatronics, clean energy & ocean solutions, finance, and retail & services. We are a multinational company with a robust global network of affiliates, which allows us to leverage synergy to deliver transformative solutions and impactful innovations that catalyze sustainable growth across industries and communities. With strong fundamentals in core industries, we enhance lives through our technologies, products, and services.

 

For more information, visit: www.hanwha.com