Naro Space Center as a Launchpad... Ushering in a Private-Led K-Space Era

Nuriho during its 4th launch. Provided by Jeonnam Province.

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Jeonnam Province is emerging as a core hub of the space industry in the K-Space era, in which leadership is shifting from the government to the private sector. Building on the Naro Space Center, the province is putting in place launch infrastructure, a national industrial complex, a cluster of private companies, and systems for testing and commercialization.

The Naro Space Center in Goheung is the starting point of South Korea's space development and the country's only launch infrastructure. By successfully supporting the launches of the Nuri rocket, Jeonnam is playing a central role in the nation's space launch capabilities.

After Goheung was designated in 2022 as a specialized launch-vehicle zone within the space industry cluster, and with the decision in 2024 to establish a national industrial complex for space launch vehicles, Jeonnam has risen as a key national hub equipped with both launch infrastructure and an industrial base. In particular, 11 space-related anchor companies, including Hanwha Aerospace, Innospace, and Perigee Aerospace, have signed agreements to move into the national industrial complex, forming a full-fledged industrial ecosystem where launch vehicle manufacturing and core component industries are clustered.

On this foundation, the successful 4th launch of the Nuri rocket in 2025 demonstrated the stability of a repeat-launch system and produced tangible results in the transition to a private sector-led space industry.

Accordingly, since 2024 Jeonnam Province has been actively promoting the creation of a private launch site and a Launch Vehicle Technology Commercialization Center, and is building an industrial base that links launch, testing, certification, and commercialization.

In addition, as new projects this year, the province is pushing ahead with the construction of a private-use engine combustion test facility worth 50 billion won and a 10 billion won regional growth support program that links to technological self-reliance for space and aviation companies, thereby strengthening both the securing of core launch vehicle technologies and support for private companies.

Alongside this, the province is pursuing a 7 billion won project to develop an ultra-small satellite named "Jeonnam-sat," and is gradually completing a full-cycle space industry system that spans from launch vehicles to satellite utilization.

Jeonnam Province is accelerating efforts to build a one-stop space industry ecosystem where launch, manufacturing, testing, and commercialization all take place in a single location, going beyond simple launch success.

Around the Naro Space Center in Goheung, key infrastructure such as a private launch site, launch vehicle assembly facilities, and tracking and operation infrastructure is being built in stages. Through the Launch Vehicle Technology Commercialization Center, which provides linked support to anchor companies and small and startup firms moving into the national industrial complex, the province is enhancing the competitiveness of the industry as a whole.

As a result, launch vehicle companies will be able to carry out design, manufacturing, testing, and launch all within Jeonnam without the burden of long-distance transport, and Jeonnam will fully function as South Korea's leading hub for demonstration and commercialization in the space industry.

Focusing on the construction of the space launch vehicle engine combustion test facility, the province will gradually expand its testing and verification infrastructure. Centered on the national industrial complex, it plans to strengthen the technology demonstration capabilities of private launch vehicle companies and solidify the foundation for a private sector-led space industry.

Jeonnam's space strategy will extend beyond industry into education, experience, and culture. In the vicinity of the Naro Space Center, the province plans to build a Space Launch Vehicle Science Complex modeled after the Kennedy Space Center in the United States, creating a public-participation space that combines space science education, hands-on experiences, and exhibitions.

By offering exhibition and experiential content linked to the launch site, the complex will serve as a symbolic K-Space venue that connects space technology with industry, tourism, and education. It is expected to attract more domestic and international tourists, raise public interest in South Korea's space endeavors, and become a new growth engine for the region.

To build a sustainable space industry ecosystem in which research and development, talent cultivation, and corporate activities are organically connected, the province plans to propose and pursue the "Geo-Industry-Academia-Research Joint Campus Construction Project" as a new national budget project for 2027.

Based on the space industry infrastructure currently under construction, Jeonnam Province is strategically working to attract a Second Space Center and a Space and Aviation Industry Promotion Agency, preparing for the next stage of South Korea's space industry.

The province envisions developing Jeonnam beyond a launch hub into a core base for national space industry policy and the industrial ecosystem, by attracting a Second Space Center to meet additional launch demand and a dedicated space industry organization that encompasses policy, research, and industry.

Kim Kihong, Director General of Strategic Industries for Jeonnam Province, said, "Jeonnam is where South Korea's space industry began, and it is now the center that is opening the era of K-Space led by the private sector," adding, "We will marshal all our capabilities so that Jeonnam can leap forward as a national strategic hub responsible for the second chapter of South Korea's space endeavors."

He continued, "By attracting the Second Space Center and the Space Industry Promotion Agency, we will complete a space ecosystem in which launch, industry, research, and policy are organically connected, and we will lead the way for South Korea to advance as a global space power."

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