[Exclusive] ADEX 2025 to be held at KINTEX in Ilsan, not Seoul Air Base

[비즈한국] The Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX), which has traditionally been held at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, will be hosted at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do this year. The change was made because Seoul Air Base, the designated airport for state guests, will be unavailable due to a scheduling conflict with the APEC 2025 경주 (Gyeongju) summit.

This year's ADEX venue is scheduled to change from Seoul Air Base to KINTEX in Ilsan. An air show at ADEX 2023, held in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do in 2023. Photo = Reporter Jeon Hyun-geon

On the 6th, a notice was posted on the ADEX website stating that the venue and schedule for ADEX 2025 would be re-announced at a later date. Originally, ADEX 2025 was slated to take place at Seoul Air Base for five days from October 29 to November 2. Since its inception as the Seoul Air Show in 1996 and 1998, ADEX has been held biennially at the ROK Air Force’s 15th Special Mission Wing in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, under the name "Seoul ADEX" starting with its seventh edition in 2009. It is usually held in the third week of October. However, it was previously held at KINTEX in Ilsan in 2013 due to runway repaving work at Seoul Air Base.

This year's exhibition is also scheduled to be held at KINTEX in Ilsan rather than Seoul Air Base, as the latter will be utilized for the APEC summit—the first to be hosted in South Korea in 20 years—taking place from late October to early November.

Seoul Air Base spans the Sujeong-gu district of Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, and the Gangnam-gu district of Seoul, serving as the dedicated airport for heads of state and foreign dignitaries. A primary mission of the 15th Special Mission Wing stationed there is the reception and protection of state guests.

The existence of a dedicated airport for state guests is due to security and protection concerns. Civil airports like Incheon International Airport or Gimpo International Airport are difficult to manage for state security due to the high volume of civilian aircraft and passengers. Furthermore, the use of these airports by state guests often requires restricting civilian access. In contrast, Seoul Air Base is a dedicated facility for state guests, allowing for strict access control and facilitating easier security management.

On the 6th, it was announced that the venue and schedule for Seoul ADEX would be re-announced later. Photo = ADEX Website

Industry insiders are concerned that the move to KINTEX might hamper the event's success. An industry source explained, "Seoul Air Base is suitable for air shows because it is an actual airfield. If held at KINTEX, there are altitude restrictions and no runway, which makes a successful air show difficult. Additionally, with many participating companies already fully booked, a change of venue could dampen the event's overall success."

In response, an official from the Seoul ADEX joint management headquarters emphasized, "We will coordinate closely with the government and the Air Force to announce the venue and schedule soon. We plan to proceed with the air show normally, even if it is held at a different location."