Launch of National Space Policy Research Center, the 'Think Tank' for Space Development... Controversy over 'Expertise'

Ministry of Science and ICT Selects Institute for Science and Technology Policy Research Host on 20th and Appoints Jo Hwanghee as Center Director

Jo Hwang-hee, the new head of the National Space Policy Center.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] A 'think tank' to support the development of the government's space policy will be established. This is a preliminary step before setting up a dedicated space development agency like the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). After controversies surrounding the selection of the hosting institution and the center director nominee, including disputes over expertise, the think tank is finally launching, drawing attention as to whether "the beginning may be humble, but the end will be glorious."

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 20th that it will establish the National Space Policy Research Center as a dedicated research institution to support the national space policy, which is expanding from a focus on national research and development to a comprehensive policy nature including diplomacy, security, and industry.

To this end, the Ministry of Science and ICT selected the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) as the hosting institution and appointed former STEPI President Cho Hwang-hee as the center director. The selection process involved a public contest by the National Research Foundation and expert evaluations. This center’s budget for this year is approximately 1 billion KRW, and it will be operated by a total of 10 experts dispatched not only from STEPI but also from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, and the Agency for Defense Development.

The center will specifically support the establishment of major government space development plans such as the ‘Basic Plan for Space Development Promotion’ and assist in formulating policies needed by the private sector, such as the ‘Space Industry Promotion Strategy.’ It will also play roles in enhancing the linkage between civil and security space development, maximizing the utilization of satellite information, and improving the efficiency of national space development efforts.

The Ministry of Science and ICT explained the purpose by stating, "We judged that a think tank capable of conducting objective research and analysis on balanced domestic and international space development issues, the situations of various countries, and the current status of our country is necessary for South Korea to enter the ranks of advanced space nations." Overseas advanced countries such as the U.S. Space Security Foundation (SWF), the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), and the Japan Space Forum (JSF) also receive support from expert groups in the space field for national space strategy and policy formulation.

A Ministry of Science and ICT official stated, “Through the National Space Policy Research Center, we will establish substantial policies in research and development, security, space diplomacy, and the space industry to help South Korea leap forward as a strong space development nation.”

However, within the Ministry of Science and ICT and government-funded research institutes, criticism has been raised that it was inappropriate for STEPI to be selected as the hosting institution over the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) or the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, which have higher expertise in space policy. Additionally, although Center Director Cho Hwang-hee majored in industrial engineering and has authored about ten space-related papers, some argue that his expertise is insufficient to be recognized as a specialist.

The National Public Research Union issued a statement last month saying, "We heard that an expert center director was proposed from KARI but was rejected, and Dr. Cho Hwang-hee was appointed instead, which we cannot accept as a mere figurehead," and criticized, "Looking at the research projects Dr. Cho participated in, it is very inadequate to call him a space policy expert."

In response, a Ministry of Science and ICT official dismissed the criticism, saying, "As far as we know, the evaluation results by the National Research Foundation recognized his expertise and other qualifications."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.