The Main Figures of 'UriByul 1' 30 Years Ago Donate 3 Billion Won to KAIST

"Giving Back the Benefits Received from Society and Academia"
27 People Including Former Setrec Eye Chairman Park Seong-dong Contribute Together

On the 11th of this month, 27 members of the Wooribyul Satellite Research Team gathered with KAIST officials, their alma mater, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Wooribyul satellite launch. Below is the list of the 27 members of the Wooribyul Satellite Research Team (in alphabetical order):

Kim Dohyung, Head of Business Development at Satrec Initiative; Kim Munkyu, CEO of SIIS; Kim Byungjin, Chairman of the Board at Satrec Initiative; Kim Sunghun, Professor at Cornell University; Kim Seungbeom, Researcher at JPL; Kim Ieul, CEO of Satrec Initiative; Kim Taejung, Professor at Inha University; Kim Hyungshin, Professor at Chungnam National University; Nam Myungryong, CEO of Lumir; Ryu Bonggyun, CEO of EpiSci USA; Min Seunghyun, PM of Space Business Division at Satrec Initiative; Park Kangmin, Senior Researcher at the Agency for Defense Development; Park Seongdong, Former Chairman of the Board at Satrec Initiative; Park Seongmin, Professor at Ewha Womans University; Park Wongyu, Head of Defense Business Division at Satrec Initiative; Seon Jongho, Professor at Kyung Hee University; Shin Dongseok, Head of Ground Business Division at Satrec Initiative; Yang Hosun, Senior Researcher at Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science; Yoo Sanggeun, CEO of Hanvision; Lee Seorim, Senior Researcher at Korea Aerospace Research Institute; Lee Wookyung, Professor at Korea Aerospace University; Lee Impyeong, Professor at University of Seoul; Lee Junho, Professor at Kongju National University; Lee Hyunwoo, Research Fellow at Satrec Initiative; Jang Hyunseok, CEO of SI Detection; Jeon Hongjun, Manager at OHB Germany; Choi Kyungil, CTO of KTSAT.

Photo by XXX

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The key figures who ignited the signal for space exploration 30 years ago with the launch of 'UriByul 1' have now generously donated a large sum to nurture the next generation of talent to actively continue South Korea's space development.

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on the 19th that the 'UriByul Satellite Research Team' (hereafter the research team) has pledged a development fund worth approximately 3 billion KRW.

This donation was promoted to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the UriByul 1 launch. Twenty-seven former members of the research team, including Park Sung-dong, former chairman of Satrec Initiative, who developed UriByul 1 as part of KAIST's Satellite Research Center since 1989, joined forces. Starting with five students dispatched to the University of Surrey in the UK in 1989, they studied satellite-related technologies at institutions such as University College London, University of Tokyo, Columbia University, and University of Iowa until 1996 before returning to their homeland. On August 11, 1992, they succeeded in developing and launching UriByul 1, followed by UriByul 2 (1993) and UriByul 3 (1999), laying the foundation for South Korea to secure space technology. Subsequently, as government research funding in the space sector increased and private investment expanded, members of the UriByul Satellite Research Team formed a pillar of the space industry through enterprises, government-funded research institutes, academia, and startups.

They have continued to communicate steadily until recently and, after discussing various ways to give back to society for the benefits they received, decided on this donation.

A KAIST Development Foundation official stated, “We understand that the 3 billion KRW development fund was pledged to mark the meaningful occasion of the 30th anniversary of the UriByul 1 launch.”

The donation agreement ceremony took place on July 19, and the pledged amount will be donated in the form of Satrec Initiative stocks equivalent to the agreed sum. Named the ‘UriByul Satellite Research Fund,’ this donation will be used for innovative and creative technological research in the space sector. It is intended to support preliminary research at the stage of developing ideas or prototypes before becoming officially funded research projects by the government or others. To this end, KAIST plans to form a selection committee composed of about ten professors, including the director of the Satellite Research Center, who have devoted themselves to satellite research and development, to regularly evaluate and select projects in need of support.

Park Sung-dong, former chairman of Satrec Initiative, said, “Research that integrates the expertise of professors and students from various fields is a unique role that KAIST can fulfill as a university,” adding, “I hope this donation will serve as a catalyst to support talents who challenge future-oriented and proactive research.”

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