[Column] Bottomless Jar or Golden Egg?… K-Space Development at a Crossroads

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Discussions to reshape the new framework of ‘K-Space Development’ in the 20th presidential election are gaining momentum. However, the essence is lost, and only ‘populism’ runs rampant.

Candidates from both ruling and opposition parties have announced plans to establish a dedicated space development agency and create an aerospace industry cluster in line with the global trend of the ‘New Space’ era. The problem is that instead of long-term visions and goals, the debate has been reduced to a quarrel over whether to place the ‘K-Space Development’ forward base in Daejeon or Gyeongnam. With technology inferior even to that of private American aerospace companies, the scientific community expresses regret over the candidates’ election-driven ‘populism’ when there is still a long way to go.

Korea took its first step into full-scale space development on October 21, 2021, with the first test flight of its first independent space launch vehicle, ‘Nuriho.’ It is an achievement to celebrate, but at least tens of trillions of won more must be invested. Korea must also enter the commercial use of space, including the global satellite launch vehicle market, space tourism, internet, location information systems, and solar power generation.

The reality is difficult. Korea’s space development technology, led by Nuriho, lags far behind existing space powers. It cannot compare to the United States, which started in the 1950s and is already exploring Mars with rovers, nor to France, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and Japan. Especially, it is far behind private space development companies in the US and Europe, such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, which have already started space tourism and developed rocket reuse technology. There are also diplomatic barriers. Even if the 2 trillion won Nuriho is successfully developed, satellites using advanced American components cannot be launched on Korean launch vehicles due to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

Therefore, to carve out a niche among space powers that are decades ahead and build an independent ‘space territory,’ Korea must distinguish what it can do, must do, and must give up, and set a timetable for detailed coordination.

Only then can it avoid cynical criticism from the public and become a subject of ‘dreams and challenges.’ In fact, some citizens reacted to last year’s Nuriho launch by calling it a “2 trillion won fireworks show.” This phrase highlights the dark side of space development policy. Despite huge budgets invested in projects like Naroho and astronaut selection, some criticized them as ‘promotional events’ dressed up in abstract terms like ‘future’ and ‘national prestige.’

This presidential election is a time to carefully consider and prepare alternatives on whether space development will become a ‘bottomless pit’ or a goose that lays golden eggs.

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