Korea Zinc and Lockheed Martin Forge Strategic Partnership, Signing an MOU on Germanium Supply and Procurement Under the Shared Commitment of Establishing a Resilient Supply Chain

• Korea Zinc plans to produce high-purity germanium using raw materials procured outside of China and provide the supply to Lockheed Martin
• Newly established 'Germanium Plant' at Onsan smelter to play a pivotal role in the partnership formed with the leading defense contractor
• Agreement expected to contribute to the stable supply of germanium, an essential material for the defense and space industries, and actively support private-sector cooperation within the Korea-U.S. economic alliance
• Marks a landmark success in Korea-U.S. collaborations in the procurement critical rare metals

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 26, 2025 -- Yun B. Choi, Chairman of Korea Zinc (KRX:010130), the world's largest zinc smelter, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lockheed Martin, the world's leading defense company, on August 25 for the supply and procurement of germanium and cooperation in the critical minerals supply chain. This MOU, pursued in line with ongoing Korea-U.S. discussions on economic security cooperation, carries great significance as it leads the establishment of a "China-free" critical minerals supply chain, and marks the first successful case of Korea-U.S. collaboration in the field of critical rare metals.