Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, "Aerospace Agency Should Consolidate Aviation and Satellite Security Functions"

Call for Enactment of Special Law for Aerospace Complex City
Bold Decentralization of National Authority and Finances to Local Governments

"For South Korea's aerospace industry to leap forward, the Aerospace Administration must absorb the aerospace functions of all national ministries and strengthen its control functions."

Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam emphasized this at the 2nd Governors' Policy Conference held at the Korea Broadcasting Center on the 25th.

Governor Park said, "The Aerospace Administration was established in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, last May," adding, "Whether South Korea can become a leading aerospace power depends on whether the Aerospace Administration can serve as a control tower."

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is speaking about strengthening the functions of the Space Aviation Agency at the 2nd Governors' Policy Forum. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

He stated, "Currently, the Aerospace Administration does not consolidate all aerospace functions, which limits its capabilities," and reiterated, "To firmly establish itself as a genuine control tower, integrated operation across ministries, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's aviation functions and satellite system security technology, is essential."

He also added, "To enhance global research and development functions in the aerospace sector, active government support and the establishment of residential conditions are necessary," emphasizing, "For this, the enactment of a special law for the construction of an Aerospace Complex City is absolutely required."

Governor Park spoke about the vision called 'Global Aerospace Capital Gyeongnam,' established alongside the opening of the Aerospace Administration last year, explaining the four major strategies and twelve core tasks being pursued with an investment target of 8.4 trillion won.

He mentioned plans for industrial base development such as the Gyeongnam Space Park, Satellite Development Innovation Center, and Aerospace Parts Center, as well as core technology development plans including the independent development of ultra-small satellites and achieving a 50% localization rate of aircraft engine parts within ten years.

"We will attract research and development functions of global companies like Boeing and Air Busan and develop the annual Sacheon Airshow into a world-class aerospace industry exhibition," he also said.

"For this, representative cities in the aerospace sector must be formed around Sacheon and Jinju," he reiterated the call for the enactment of the special law for the construction of an Aerospace Complex City.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung (left), Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, and Gyeongnam Governor Park Wan-su are holding hands and taking a commemorative photo ahead of the 2nd Provincial Governors' Policy Forum. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

At this event, Governor Park evaluated South Korea's 30 years of local autonomy, saying, "Despite poor administrative authority, functions, and financial conditions, it has been a solid pillar for South Korea."

He continued, "It has contributed to stabilizing regions and helping South Korea leap to become one of the top 10 economies, but in reality, conditions remain very poor."

He pointed out, "There is still a concentration in the central government and the Seoul metropolitan area, and a lack of awareness change in the central government," criticizing the continued concentration of power in the capital and central government and the trend toward recentralization.

"In the past, the nation led the regional economy, but now it must change to an era where local governments lead the national economy," he said, adding, "Authorities and finances must be boldly delegated to local governments."

He also diagnosed, "If the government does not introduce revolutionary policies to break the unipolar system concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, South Korea has no future."

The policy consultation meeting of the Governors' Association, hosted by the Korea Broadcasting Journalists Club, was held to mark the 30th anniversary of local autonomy.

The discussion included Chairman Yoo Jungbok, Mayor of Incheon; Vice Chairman Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam; and Auditor Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju, who discussed regional issues and solutions such as aerospace, low birthrate, and artificial intelligence industries.

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