[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Institutions Now Joining the National Defense Space Sector

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] As an academic society is established in the defense space sector and organizations are formed within government agencies, concerns are rising in the defense industry. It is feared that forcing membership fees under the pretext of member management or the involvement of various agencies in policy establishment could instead become obstacles to aerospace development.

According to the industry on the 22nd, the Korea Defense Space Society was founded under the name of academic research and policy development in the defense space field. Starting with its inaugural seminar next month, the society plans to hold academic conferences, conduct research projects, and operate educational programs in the defense space sector.

The society's president is a former chief of each military branch. Defense companies related to defense space reportedly participated by paying sponsorship fees ranging from 3 to 5 million KRW. About ten defense companies joined the society, along with participation from government agencies.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) also established a dedicated team (TF) for the development of space defense projects, led by Deputy Director Seo Hyung-jin, with participation from the Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, DAPA, Agency for Defense Development, and Defense Technology Promotion Research Institute. The purpose is to prepare laws, systems, and implementation frameworks to effectively support space defense projects and to design organizations and personnel accordingly.

However, the perspective of defense companies is not favorable. There are concerns that under the pretext of fostering the space defense industry, regular meetings will be held by summoning executives from each defense company, which may turn into mere disciplinary meetings rather than genuine opinion gathering. Although the Minister of National Defense has held annual ‘Defense Industry CEO Meetings’ since 2018, no practical solutions have emerged from these gatherings.

An executive from a defense company said, “Various defense-related agencies hold communication meetings, but sometimes companies are required to submit questions in advance, making it nothing more than a formality to show face.”

Some voices even call for the reduction of government agencies related to the defense industry. Government agencies related to the defense industry include the Defense Industry Technology Support Center within the Agency for Defense Development and the Defense Material Trade Support Center within KOTRA. Additionally, the Defense Technology Quality Institute has launched the ‘Defense Industry Technology Promotion Research Institute.’ At its launch, the industry expressed concerns that the institute’s director position might be filled by a parachute appointment linked to influential figures in the current government.

A government official pointed out, “The Defense Technology Quality Institute and the Defense Industry Technology Promotion Research Institute seem to be operating in ways that do not comply with organizational laws,” adding, “They cannot even control their subordinate agencies properly, and the management of budgets and personnel is a mess.”

Meanwhile, domestic defense companies such as Hanwha Group, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and LIG Nex1 are rolling up their sleeves for satellite projects. As the space development era officially begins, they aim to secure a leading position in the global market. The reason the defense industry is entering the satellite business is that it offers an opportunity to expand from their core military business into civilian sectors as well.

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