The defense ministry on Thursday reached an agreement with a state-run science laboratory to borrow the latter’s technical data and patent information to develop military supplies.

The ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), under which the ministry will be able to access technical information to manufacture and commercialize products under the military’s non-weapons system.

The non-weapons system includes military supplies, such as equipment, weapons parts, facilities and software, which support weapons and individual troops in their combat capabilities.

In a statement, the ministry said the MOU will help overcome the military’s technical limitations in its non-weapons system and produce high-quality military supplies.

“The signing was part of the strengthening of cooperation between the military and research institutes,” the ministry’s statement said. “Building on this opportunity, the ministry will seek further cooperation with other state-run and private research bodies.”

The ministry noted that its agreement with KIST should open the door for other state-run institutes to participate in its non-weapons system. (Yonhap News)