Participation Guide

※ K-DEX 2026 Participation Regulation

Article 1 (Purpose)

The purpose of this Agreement is to set forth the matters to be observed and performed by and among the Host, the Organizer, and the Exhibitor for the successful hosting of the Exhibition.

Article 2 (Definitions)

The terms used in this Agreement shall have the following meanings.

① “Exhibition” means a defense industry-related exhibition organized and/or managed, solely or jointly, by the Host and/or Organizer of K-DEX, the integrated exhibition of KADEX 2026 (Korea Army International Defense Industry Exhibition 2026) and DX KOREA 2026 (The 7th Defense Exhibition Korea), at a designated venue, where Exhibitors display exhibits and engage in sales, promotion, education, networking, and other related activities for Visitors.

② “Host” means the institution, association, or organization that officially hosts the Exhibition, and “Organizer” means the corporation or organization responsible for the practical operation of the Exhibition, including exhibition operation, exhibitor recruitment, booth allocation, Participation Fee billing and settlement, and on-site management.

③ “Exhibitor” means a company, individual, public institution, association, organization, or other entity that submits an Application Form in the manner prescribed by the Organizer and obtains the Company’s approval to participate in the Exhibition.

④ “Visitor” means a person who visits the exhibition venue to view exhibits or participate in ancillary events of the Exhibition.

⑤ “Exhibits” means all tangible or intangible products, technologies, or services displayed by the Exhibitor at the exhibition venue for the purposes of promotion, sales, consultation, networking, or other related activities.

⑥ “Participation Fee” means the total amount that the Exhibitor agrees to pay to the Host or Organizer in accordance with the Application Form, Exhibit Details Statement, or invoice submitted by the Exhibitor.

⑦ “Application Form” means a document or online application data prepared in the manner prescribed by the Organizer, stating the details of the exhibition participation services applied for by the Exhibitor, and includes the Exhibit Details Statement or invoice.

⑧ “Exhibition Venue” means the space provided to the Exhibitor under the responsibility of the Host or Organizer for the purpose of hosting the Exhibition, including both dedicated and common areas used by Exhibitors or Visitors from the commencement of the installation period to the end of the dismantling period, regardless of whether such space is indoor or outdoor, or whether it has a roof.

⑨ “Exhibition Booth” means the dedicated space used by the Exhibitor within the Exhibition Venue for the purposes of promoting, selling, consulting on, or otherwise presenting Exhibits.

⑩ “Installation Period” means the period during which exhibition booths, facilities, and other relevant items are installed and prepared for the Exhibition. “Exhibition Period” means the period during which Visitors visit and view the Exhibition. “Dismantling Period” means the period after the end of the Exhibition Period during which remaining exhibits, installations, and other materials are removed.

Article 3 (Exhibition and Contracting Parties)

① The name, period, venue, and detailed application matters of the Exhibition shall be as stated in the Application Form, Exhibit Details Statement, or invoice.

② In principle, the name of the applicant stated in the Application Form, the actual entity participating in the Exhibition, and the entity to which the tax invoice or invoice is issued shall be identical.

③ Where the Exhibitor intends to participate together with its parent company, subsidiary, branch, agency, affiliate, or co-exhibiting company, the Exhibitor shall obtain prior approval from the Organizer.

④ The Hosts and Organizers of the Exhibition shall be as stated in the Application Form, Exhibit Details Statement, invoice, participation guide, or official website of the Exhibition. Unless otherwise notified, the Hosts shall be the Association of the Republic of Korea Army (AROKA), the Korea Defense Industry MICE Association (KDM) and Korea Defense Industry Association (KDIA). The Organizers shall be Defense Expo Corp., Mindsground Co., Ltd. and MESSE ESANG Co., Ltd.

Article 4 (Application for Participation and Conclusion of Agreement)

① The Exhibitor shall complete the detailed information required for participation in the Exhibition in the manner prescribed by the Organizer and submit the Application Form. The participation agreement shall be concluded upon approval by the Organizer.

② Where the Organizer deems that modification of the Application Form submitted by the Exhibitor is necessary, the Organizer may revise the details and return an Exhibit Details Statement or participation confirmation materials to the Exhibitor. If the Exhibitor approves such revised details, the agreement shall be concluded based on the revised terms.

③ After submission of the Application Form, the Organizer may notify the Exhibitor of approval by email, text message, telephone, or other means. If the Organizer does not request modification of the Application Form or express its intent to reject the application within three days after receipt of the application, the participation agreement shall be deemed to have been concluded as applied for.

④ An Exhibitor whose application has been approved by the Organizer after submission shall comply with these Terms and Conditions, the Application Form, the Exhibit Details Statement, and detailed operating regulations to be announced thereafter.

Article 5 (Existing Participation Applications and Application of Integrated Regulations)

① For Exhibitors whose participation application for KADEX 2026 or DX KOREA 2026 was approved, or whose invoice was issued, prior to the enforcement of these Regulations, the payment deadline, discounts, cancellation penalties, and other major conditions shall be governed first by the existing Application Form, Exhibit Details Statement, invoice, or separately notified conditions.

② However, where the Exhibitor agrees to the participation conditions of the integrated Exhibition, or where the Exhibitor changes or adds the participation area, booth location, participation items, registered name of participation, or other application details after the enforcement of these Regulations, the Host or Organizer may apply these Regulations to such changed or added matters.

Article 6 (Change and Termination of Agreement)

① The Exhibitor may request changes to the details of the participation agreement up to 30 days before the opening date of the Exhibition, and the Organizer may approve such request to the extent that it does not disrupt the operation of the Exhibition.

② Where the Exhibitor wishes to cancel all or part of the participation agreement, the Exhibitor shall express its intent to cancel in writing or by an electronic document method recognized by the Organizer.

③ The reference date for cancellation of participation or reduction of applied exhibition area shall be the date on which the Exhibitor’s official cancellation request or electronic document reaches the Organizer.

Article 7 (Payment of Participation Fee and Payment Deadline)

① The Participation Fee means the total amount of the detailed items stated in the Application Form, Exhibit Details Statement, or invoice.

② The Participation Fee for domestic Exhibitors shall be based on Korean won (KRW), and value-added tax shall be charged separately. The Participation Fee for overseas Exhibitors may be based on United States dollars (USD) or the currency separately announced or stated in the invoice. For overseas Exhibitors, VAT may or may not apply in accordance with applicable Korean tax laws and regulations, including reciprocal VAT exemption rules, depending on the Exhibitor’s country of establishment, transaction structure, payment method, invoicing party, and whether payment is made through a domestic corporation, agency, or company.

③ The payment deadlines for the Participation Fee shall be as follows. Payment shall be made in advance in principle.

– Deposit: 50% of the total Participation Fee shall be paid within 10 days after conclusion of the agreement. Where the application is submitted after the balance payment deadline due to additional registration or other reasons, the full Participation Fee shall be paid by a separately designated deadline.

– Interim Payment: 30% of the total Participation Fee shall be paid by January 30, 2026.

– Balance: The remaining amount of the total Participation Fee, excluding the Deposit and Interim Payment, shall be paid by April 30, 2026.

④ Notwithstanding Paragraph 3, priority may be given to the payment deadline specified in the relevant Application Form, Exhibit Details Statement, or invoice for the existing KADEX 2026 or DX KOREA 2026 participation application.

④ Where the Exhibitor applies after the balance payment deadline or as an additional registration due to operational needs of the Exhibition, the Exhibitor shall pay the full Participation Fee or remaining balance within 10 days after conclusion of the agreement.

⑤ Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, where otherwise specified, the actual payment deadline for the Participation Fee may be changed in accordance with the time of application, the Exhibit Details Statement, the invoice, or the official notice of the Organizer.

⑥ If the Exhibitor fails to pay the Participation Fee within the designated deadline, the Host or Organizer may cancel the application or terminate the agreement.

Article 8 (Penalty)

① If the Exhibitor fails to pay the Participation Fee within the payment deadline, the Host or Organizer may terminate the agreement, and any Participation Fee already paid by the Exhibitor shall not be refunded.

② In the event of termination of the participation agreement due to the Exhibitor’s circumstances, namely cancellation of participation, a penalty shall be incurred according to the timing of the expression of intent to terminate as follows. The Host or Organizer may deduct the applicable amount from the Participation Fee already paid. If the penalty amount exceeds the amount already paid, the Exhibitor shall pay the shortfall within 10 days after termination of the participation agreement.

– Before conclusion of the participation agreement, meaning before approval by the Organizer: no penalty

– Until January 30, 2026: 20% of the total Participation Fee

– Until April 30, 2026: 50% of the total Participation Fee

– On or after May 1, 2026: 100% of the total Participation Fee

③ Where the Exhibitor cancels part of the applied booths, the Participation Fee subject to cancellation shall be calculated according to the following formula, and the penalty rate under Paragraph 2 shall apply to the calculated amount.

– Participation Fee subject to cancellation = canceled area ÷ applied area × total Participation Fee

Article 9 (Allocation of Exhibition Booths, etc.)

① The Host or Organizer shall determine the location, size, form of installations, and other matters relating to dedicated spaces, including Exhibition Booths, in consideration of the reasonable operation of the Exhibition, and shall finalize and notify the detailed operating regulations, namely the Exhibitor Manual, before the opening date of the Exhibition.

② The Host or Organizer may adjust the exhibition area and location applied for by the Exhibitor through consultation with the Exhibitor, depending on the application status and operational needs of the Exhibition.

③ Even after a dedicated space has been allocated to the Exhibitor and the operating regulations have been notified, the Host or Organizer may change details such as the size, location, installations, and allocated zone of the Exhibition Booth in the event of changes in circumstances relating to the operation of the Exhibition, safety management, venue operating policies, adjustment of exhibit categories, or securing visitor flow.

④ Unless the change under the preceding paragraph constitutes a material change that substantially prevents the Exhibitor from achieving the purpose of its participation for the Exhibitor to achieve the purpose of participation in the Exhibition, the Exhibitor shall accept the adjustment made by the Host or Organizer and may not claim cancellation of participation, refund of the Participation Fee, or damages on such grounds.

Article 10 (Display and Management of Exhibits)

① The Exhibitor shall display only Exhibits that fall within the scope approved in the Application Form or by the Organizer and are consistent with the nature of the Exhibition.

② The Host or Organizer may restrict the display of Exhibits or request adjustment where the Exhibits fall under any of the following items.

1. Items, technologies, or services that were not reported in advance in the Application Form or were not approved for display.
2. Items, technologies, or services that may pose a risk of safety accidents in the operation of the Exhibition or are inconsistent with the nature of the Exhibition.
3. Items, technologies, or services that infringe third-party rights, including trademark rights, patent rights, and copyrights, or are unsuitable for sale or promotion due to legal restrictions, lack of permits, approvals, or other defects.
4. Cases where disputes with other Exhibitors, visitor complaints, offensive content, security risks, or disruption to the smooth operation of the Exhibition may arise.
5. Items deemed inconsistent with the purpose and standards of a defense industry exhibition.

③ Where any of the grounds set forth in Paragraph 2 arises during the Exhibition Period, the Host or Organizer may request the Exhibitor to remove, withdraw, change, or suspend the operation of the Exhibits. If the Exhibitor fails to comply or delays taking measures, the Host or Organizer may remove the Exhibition Booth or restrict booth operation without refunding the Participation Fee.

④ During the Exhibition Period, the Exhibitor shall assign resident personnel and exercise due care in managing the Exhibits within the dedicated space. The Exhibitor shall also take necessary measures relating to security, safety, insurance, and relevant permits and approvals to prevent personal injury or property damage arising from the Exhibits.

⑤ During the Exhibition Period, the Exhibitor may not remove Exhibits without separate approval from the Organizer and shall remove the Exhibits in accordance with the designated removal period and procedures.

⑥ The Organizer may provide basic security services through a security service contract or other means. However, unless intentional misconduct or gross negligence attributable to the Host or Organizer is proven, the Host or Organizer shall not be liable for theft, loss, destruction, or damage of Exhibits.

Article 11 (Liability for Defects and Performance)

① The Exhibitor shall bear all liability for defects in Exhibits, product liability, permits and approvals, safety management, and any damages relating to the Exhibitor’s Exhibits, and shall directly resolve any disputes with the injured party.

② The Host or Organizer shall not be responsible for directly resolving or mediating disputes between the Exhibitor and Visitors, purchasers, consultees, or third parties.

③ The Host or Organizer shall not bear any responsibility for the performance of commercial transactions relating to goods or services provided, distributed, sold, leased, or consulted on by the Exhibitor to Visitors or third parties at the Exhibition Venue, including settlement, delivery, return, cancellation, warranty, and after-sales management.

Article 12 (Prohibition on Assignment of Exhibition Booths)

① Without prior approval from the Organizer, the Exhibitor may not lease, assign, resell, or exchange all or part of the dedicated space allocated to it with a third party or another Exhibitor.

② Even where the Exhibitor participates in the Exhibition together with related companies, including its parent company, subsidiary, branch, or agency, the Exhibitor shall obtain prior approval from the Organizer and, if necessary, submit an Application Form in the name of the related company or separate supporting materials.

③ Where the Exhibitor places Exhibits, promotional materials, personnel, or consultation space of a third party other than the Exhibitor name, company name, or brand stated in the Application Form within the dedicated space, such act may be deemed an indirect assignment of the Exhibition Booth.

④ In the case of Paragraph 3, the Organizer may request removal of the relevant items, removal of promotional materials, removal of relevant personnel, restriction of booth operation, or removal of the Exhibition Booth without refunding the Participation Fee.

Article 13 (Facilities and Safety Management)

① The Exhibitor shall be liable for all personal injury and property damage occurring during the Installation Period, Exhibition Period, and Dismantling Period within the Exhibitor’s dedicated space and any common areas occupied or used by the Exhibitor.

② The Exhibitor shall have the obligation to protect all facilities installed by the Host, Organizer, or Exhibition Venue operator from damage, and shall restore such facilities to their original condition after the end of the Exhibition Period.

③ If the Exhibitor delays restoration or fails to take sufficient measures to restore altered or damaged facilities, the Organizer may perform the measures necessary for restoration on behalf of the Exhibitor and charge the Exhibitor for the costs.

④ The Exhibitor’s facilities, installations, and all Exhibits shall comply with non-combustibility, flame-retardancy, and safety standards under fire and safety-related laws and regulations, Exhibition Venue operating regulations, and detailed operating regulations.

⑤ Where necessary, the Organizer may require the Exhibitor to implement measures relating to fire prevention, safety management, security management, restrictions on bringing in hazardous materials, restrictions on operation of Exhibits, and other relevant matters.

Article 14 (Detailed Operating Regulations)

① Detailed operating regulations relating to the operation of the Exhibition, including installation and dismantling of facilities, ancillary facilities, parking, passes, bringing in hazardous materials, and bringing in and removing Exhibits, shall be notified to the Exhibitor by the Organizer in the manner prescribed by the Organizer, such as through the website, email, or text message, before the opening date of the Exhibition.

② Matters relating to the operation of the Exhibition that are not provided for in these Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the detailed operating regulations, the Exhibitor Manual, and the Exhibition Venue operating regulations. The Exhibitor shall fully familiarize itself with and comply with such regulations.

③ Where the Exhibitor violates the provisions of this Article and causes disruption to the operation of the Exhibition, the Organizer may take measures such as restricting participation in future exhibitions, restricting booth operation, restricting removal of Exhibits, or removing the Exhibition Booth without refunding the Participation Fee.

Article 15 (Additional Costs)

① Where the Exhibitor uses the Exhibition Venue beyond the Installation Period, Exhibition Period, Dismantling Period, or operating hours prescribed in the detailed operating regulations, the Organizer may charge additional costs to the relevant Exhibitor.

② Additional costs shall be paid before the end of the Exhibition, and if such additional costs are not fully paid, the Organizer may restrict removal of Exhibits or restrict future participation.

Article 16 (Postponement or Cancellation of Exhibition due to Force Majeure)

① Where it is difficult or impossible to normally host the Exhibition due to natural disasters, national disasters, war, terrorism, infectious diseases or pandemics, travel restrictions, orders, prohibitions, or regulations by the government or local authorities, embargoes, shortages of raw materials, shortages of transportation, industrial action such as strikes, special circumstances of the Exhibition Venue operator, facility failures, military or security-related reasons, or other reasons beyond the reasonable control of the Host or Organizer, the Host or Organizer may cancel or postpone the Exhibition.

② Where the Exhibition is postponed, the Host or Organizer may present new contractual terms to the Exhibitor, including the changed exhibition schedule, venue, operating method, participation conditions, and treatment of the Participation Fee.

③ Where performance of all or part of the contractual obligations becomes impossible due to force majeure or equivalent causes, or where performance cannot reasonably be expected in consideration of all relevant circumstances, the Host or Organizer and the Exhibitor shall be exempted from performance of contractual obligations to the extent affected.

④ For the purposes of this Article, “force majeure” means an external and unforeseeable event that is unrelated to a party’s operational fault or ordinary scope of management and could not have been prevented despite the exercise of the utmost care reasonably expected.

⑤ For the purposes of this Article, “equivalent causes” means all circumstances that are beyond a party’s reasonable control and could not have been prevented or foreseen despite the exercise of the utmost care reasonably expected, including operational suspension or disruption not attributable to the fault of the relevant party.

⑥ Where the Exhibition is canceled before its opening due to force majeure or equivalent causes, the Host or Organizer may refund the booth-related Participation Fee already paid by the Exhibitor. However, costs individually incurred by the Exhibitor for participation in the Exhibition, including installation costs, transportation costs, travel expenses, accommodation costs, promotional expenses, labor costs, customs clearance costs, insurance premiums, and all other related costs, shall be borne by the Exhibitor.

⑦ Where the Exhibition is canceled or suspended during its operation due to force majeure or equivalent causes, the Host or Organizer and the Exhibitor shall be exempted from performance of contractual obligations for the period after the time of such cancellation or suspension. Paragraph 6 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the treatment of the Participation Fee and the allocation of costs between the parties.

⑧ With respect to cancellation, postponement, shortening of period, change of venue, change of operating method, or suspension during operation of the Exhibition due to force majeure or equivalent causes, the Exhibitor may not claim against the Host or Organizer any damages, business losses, loss of expected profits, opportunity costs, indirect damages, or special damages exceeding the scope of refund of the Participation Fee.

⑨ The specific scope, method, and timing of refunds under Paragraphs 6 and 7 shall be separately determined by the Host or Organizer in comprehensive consideration of the reason for cancellation or suspension of the Exhibition, costs already incurred or committed, refundable amount, settlement procedures between the Host and Organizer, and whether the Exhibitor is at fault.

Article 17 (Ethics and Compliance)

① The Exhibitor shall not bear any additional costs under any name other than the Participation Fee stated in the Application Form or Exhibit Details Statement and additional costs arising under the detailed operating regulations as provided in these Terms and Conditions. The Exhibitor shall not make payment to any officer, employee, or third party other than the official account designated by the Host or Organizer, and shall not provide any money, valuables, entertainment, or other benefits in connection with the Exhibition.

② Where the Exhibitor participates in the Exhibition without completing an Application Form or under conditions different from those stated in the Application Form, the Exhibitor shall pay the Participation Fee based on the actual details of services provided.

③ In the event of any illegal act in violation of Paragraphs 1 and 2, including acquiescence to services different from the terms of the agreement, receipt of money or valuables, or provision of entertainment or convenience, the parties acknowledge that such act constitutes breach of trust in the course of business, giving of a bribe in breach of trust, or receiving of a bribe in breach of trust, and shall bear civil and criminal liability.

Article 18 (Protection of Personal Information)

① Unless lawful consent for provision of personal information to a third party has been obtained from Visitors, the Host or Organizer may not provide Exhibitors with any information concerning Visitors who visited the Exhibition.

② Even where a Visitor has visited the Exhibitor’s dedicated space or was directly invited by the Exhibitor, the Host or Organizer may not provide the Exhibitor with the Visitor’s personal information unless the Visitor’s lawful consent for provision of such information has been obtained.

③ The Exhibitor shall lawfully collect, use, store, and destroy personal information of Visitors, consultees, buyers, military officials, government officials, or other third parties obtained in the course of participation in the Exhibition in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Article 19 (Supplementary Provisions and Dispute Resolution)

① Matters not specified in these Terms and Conditions, the Application Form, the Exhibit Details Statement, the invoice, the detailed operating regulations, the Exhibitor Manual, or the Exhibition Venue operating regulations shall be determined through consultation among the Host, Organizer, and Exhibitor in accordance with the principle of good faith.

② In the event of any dispute among the Host, Organizer, and Exhibitor relating to the interpretation or performance of these Terms and Conditions or the rights and obligations of the parties, such dispute shall be resolved by arbitration of the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, and such dispute shall be finally settled by arbitration administered by the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB), and the arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the parties.