Senior Researchers at Hangwoo-yeon Rebuked Key Figures of Nuriho Amid Internal Strife

Joint Appeal by Six Former Directors
"Perceived as Maintaining External Privileges"
"Now Is the Time to Focus on Developing New Launch Vehicles"
"Young Researchers Should Be Entrusted with Responsibility"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Former directors of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) have expressed concerns over internal conflicts surrounding the reorganization of the launch vehicle development division. This is a poignant admonition suggesting that some researchers may have forgotten their mission, caught up in the success of projects like Nuriho and Danuri, amid fierce global competition for space technology supremacy, including the development of reusable launch vehicles.

On the 6th, six retired former directors of KARI?Hong Jae-hak, Jang Geun-ho, Chae Yeon-seok, Lee Joo-jin, Kim Seung-jo, and Lim Cheol-ho?issued an appeal to reporters, stating, "Undesirable noise related to KARI’s launch vehicle development projects is dominating major media outlets." This was a criticism of key personnel involved in the Nuriho development, including former KARI Korean Launch Vehicle Development Project Director Ko Jeong-hwan, who resigned from their positions in protest against the disbandment of the project division and the transition to a research institute and team system at the end of last year. The former directors pointed out, "Many citizens who vividly remember the inspiring success of Nuriho’s launch are watching with concern, fearing that these controversies might hinder the development of next-generation world-class launch vehicles."

They also highlighted the global industrialization of space technology, accelerated by developments such as SpaceX’s reusable launch vehicles, and the intensifying space supremacy competition among major powers like the United States and China. They noted that South Korea is also pursuing its 4th space development plan to leap forward as a space power through new launch vehicles, lunar landers, and various next-generation satellite developments.

The former directors particularly criticized the resignation of some researchers from their posts. They said, "At this moment, it is deeply concerning that some researchers, dissatisfied with the organizational restructuring, appear to be fostering internal division to maintain vested interests and are dragging internal disputes into the media, causing public worry." They added, "Now is the time for heated internal discussions on which technologies and methods to apply to develop affordable yet higher-performance rockets to survive the fiercely ongoing global launch vehicle development competition."

The former directors also proposed new changes, such as expanding the appointment of young researchers as research leaders. They suggested, "We propose new changes for KARI’s future on this occasion. We recommend appointing more young researchers as leaders of various research and development teams." They pointed out, "Young researchers can more flexibly adapt to the latest technologies, such as IT, which are critically used in modern launch vehicles and satellites, and they are well-informed about global research trends, enabling them to set and pursue challenging research goals incorporating cutting-edge technologies." They noted that although KARI was a young organization 20 years ago, the average age of researchers has rapidly increased over the past decade due to stagnation.

The former directors stated, "The current senior researchers dedicated themselves under difficult initial conditions to elevate the institute to its present level. While respecting their efforts, it is now time for young researchers to take the lead and become the main actors." They emphasized, "Many young researchers have dreamed since childhood of dedicating their lives to the research and development of aircraft, satellites, and launch vehicles. It is our duty to ensure that they do not wither within a rigid organization but can energetically pursue their dreams alongside the nation’s dreams."

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