Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
South Chungcheong seeks to bring defense research institute to Nonsan and Gyeryong
South Chungcheong Province is seeking to attract the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses to the cities of Nonsan and Gyeryong.
The institute, known as KIDA, is a government-funded defense policy research body based in Seoul, with 487 employees as of early 2026.
The government’s plan to move the Defense Ministry to Sejong is expected to require KIDA to relocate, after the institute had previously favored staying near the ministry in the Seoul area.
The province says Nonsan and Gyeryong are well suited because Gyeryong has the headquarters of the army, navy and air force, while Nonsan has the Korea National Defense University and Army Training Center.
A South Chungcheong defense industry complex is also scheduled to open in Nonsan in 2029.
The province argues a move could link research, education and defense production in one regional network.
It says it will strengthen its case, but no final location for KIDA is stated.
South Chungcheong Province is stepping up efforts to bring the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) to Nonsan and Gyeryong.
The province said the move of the Ministry of National Defense to Sejong makes KIDA’s relocation unavoidable.
KIDA is a government-funded research institute based in Seoul, with 487 employees as of early 2026.
The province says Nonsan and Gyeryong offer a strong defense-sector base, including military headquarters, a defense university and a planned national industrial complex.
- Who
- South Chungcheong Province is seeking to attract KIDA, the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses.
- What
- The province is campaigning for KIDA to relocate to Nonsan and Gyeryong.
- When
- The province announced its intensified efforts on Oct. 27, 2026.
- Where
- Nonsan and Gyeryong, in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea.
- Why
- The province says the area’s defense institutions and industry could support a complete defense ecosystem. It says the Ministry of National Defense’s planned move to Sejong makes KIDA’s relocation unavoidable.
South Chungcheong Province
KIDA
Location
South Chungcheong Province
The province says Nonsan and Gyeryong are well suited to KIDA because of their defense institutions and industry.
KIDA
KIDA has maintained a preference for the Seoul metropolitan area, citing geographical access to the Ministry of National Defense.
South Chungcheong Province had included KIDA on its list of institutions to attract and had pursued relocation efforts.
The province said it would intensify efforts to attract KIDA as the Ministry of National Defense prepares to move to Sejong.
The South Chungcheong National Defense Industrial Complex is scheduled to open.
- KIDA workforce
- 487 employees as of early 2026
- KIDA location
- Seoul
- Proposed destination
- Nonsan and Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province
- Military headquarters
- Gyeryong is home to Gyeryongdae, where the Army, Navy and Air Force headquarters are located.
- Planned complex
- South Chungcheong National Defense Industrial Complex; scheduled to open in 2029
1 source
What people are saying
We will strengthen the case for attracting KIDA with a distinctive rationale linking the defense and defense-industry foundations in Nonsan and Gyeryong, and work to turn this into a tangible result.