Hanwha Group, Korea's largest defense and aerospace conglomerate, said Friday it will invest 55 trillion won ($35.6 billion) in the aerospace and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors by 2040 to develop launch vehicles, satellites and AI data centers. Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan outlined the roadmap during a public briefing presided over by President Lee Jae Myung in the southeastern city of Jinju, as part of the government's mega project centered on attracting massive investment in AI and high-tech industries. Kim said the initiative aligns with Korea's broader push to strengthen indigenous defense capabilities while reducing reliance on foreign satellite and intelligence infrastructure. "The future of self-reliant national defense lies in space," Kim emphasized. "Based on our launch vehicle and satellite technologies, Hanwha will build the capabilities needed for Korea to independently secure the information it requires." Under the plan, Hanwha Aerospace will inject about 23 trillion won into space launch vehicles, assembly facilities and launch vehicle testing infrastructu