Sim Sang-jung Promises to Establish a 'National Space Agency' Like NASA and Build a Highway to Create a Space Economy Zone

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the Justice Party, stated on the 2nd, "To enter the space age, I will establish a ministerial-level 'National Space Agency' directly under the president."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, during her visit to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in the afternoon, Candidate Sim said, "To align with the new space era, private sectors will participate in all developments, and the National Space Agency will play a role similar to NASA in the U.S., supporting the insufficient infrastructure."

Candidate Sim said, "By 2027, or at the latest before the 2020s end, I dream that a Korean astronaut will arrive at the Sea of Tranquility on the moon, plant the Taegeukgi flag, and safely return to Earth." She emphasized, "Former President Park Chung-hee built the Gyeongbu Expressway, and former President Kim Dae-jung established the information superhighway. I will build an ecological expressway, and further, a space economic zone expressway." She added, "The first protagonist of this will be our youth who go to the moon."

Candidate Sim also presented a 'Small Space Strategy.' She explained, "In the 2020s, we will lead East Asian space cooperation with a small space strategy. Based on about 100 small satellites in low and medium Earth orbit, next-generation communications will be realized, and Korean-style smart cities, where autonomous cars and drones operate as next-generation mobile platforms, will become the new normal that overcomes the climate crisis."

She also promised generous support for the aerospace industry, emphasizing that a strong aviation industry foundation is necessary for the space industry to leap forward. Along with this, she stressed harmony with autonomous national defense.

Candidate Sim said, "I will boldly transfer military maintenance depots to the private sector to ensure proper aviation infrastructure and employment, shifting defense policy accordingly." She added, "Through this, we will create a stable foundation for the aviation industry to simultaneously achieve strong defense and industrial development."

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