"'Gwalmoksangdae' Korean Space Development... Must Be a Comprehensive Policy of Economy, Security, and Diplomacy"

National Space Policy Research Center Holds First 'Space Policy Forum' Since Launch on the 8th

▲UriByul 1-ho

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Korea is marking 30 years since it entered space development, starting with the launch of Our Star 1 in 1992. From barely being able to build an experimental scientific satellite slightly larger than a soccer ball, Korea's space technology has made remarkable progress, becoming a global powerhouse in satellite manufacturing. Next month, Korea's indigenous launch vehicle, 'Nuriho,' will be launched for the first time. Meanwhile, the trend in space development has shifted to the 'New Space' era, where the private sector is the main driver of space development. At this juncture, a forum to explore the role and future of Korea's space policy is being organized.

The National Space Policy Research Center (SPREC) under the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) announced on the 7th that it will hold the '1st Space Policy Forum' both online and offline at the Best Western Hotel in Sejong City on the afternoon of the 8th. This is the first official event since SPREC was established on the 1st of last month to support major government space policies such as the 'Basic Plan for Space Development Promotion.' The forum will be held under the theme 'National Space Development and the Role and Direction of Space Policy.'

The event is organized to review the achievements of Korea's 30 years of space development and to hear opinions from experts in academia, industry, and government on the role and development direction of national space policy. Hyungjun Ahn, Team Leader of Research Policy Team 2 at SPREC, will present a paper titled '30 Years of National Space Development: The Progress and Achievements of Space Policy.' Following this, Jongbin Lim, Team Leader of Policy Research Team 1 at SPREC, will discuss 'Challenges and Development Directions of National Space Policy,' using Space Traffic Management (STM) as a case study?a key issue emerging as more countries and companies enter space development. He will emphasize that space policy, which has so far focused on research and technology development, must expand into a comprehensive policy encompassing economy, security, and diplomacy.

The panel discussion will be chaired by Hyochung Park, President of the Korean Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, with participants including Jaesik Shin, Director of the Mega Public Space Policy Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT; Joon Lee, Head of Strategic Planning at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute; Jaejin Lee, Head of the Space Science Division at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute; Gigeun Kim, Director of the Space Technology Center at the Agency for Defense Development; Ieul Kim, CEO of Satrec Initiative; Kyungin Kang, Director of the Space Technology Division at the National Research Foundation of Korea; and Jungoo Yoo, Professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. They will discuss 'What the role and direction of national space policy should be for Korea's space development, which is entering a new phase, to take a leap forward.'

Participation is possible via online live streaming (YouTube). Detailed information can be found on the STEPI website.

Meanwhile, on the same day, STEPI will hold a plaque ceremony for the opening of SPREC on the 1st of last month and sign a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, and the Agency for Defense Development. Through SPREC, the aim is to support the smooth implementation of major government space development plans and the establishment of space policy, and to build cooperative relationships.

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