SEOUL — The South Korean government has announced an ambitious "Space and Aerospace Industry Development Strategy," aimed at securing the nation's position as a global leader in space technology. The plan, finalized at the National Space Committee meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung, outlines a roadmap to expand the nation's economic territory into space.

Building a Sovereign Satellite Network

At the center of the strategy is the construction of a homegrown low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications network. By 2035, Korea plans to launch hundreds of satellites to establish a sovereign communication infrastructure. Oh Tae-seok, Administrator of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), emphasized the strategic significance of this project, stating, "A LEO satellite network is essential for national security and communication sovereignty, serving as a vital backbone for the upcoming 6G era."

Advancing the Moon Landing Timeline

Korea is also accelerating its lunar exploration goals. The government announced plans to launch a private small-scale lunar lander using the Nuri launch vehicle by 2030, two years ahead of the previously planned 2032 schedule for a next-generation launch vehicle mission. This is part of a broader vision that includes launching a lunar orbital communications satellite in 2029 and a terrestrial-lunar scientific probe in 2031.

"Landing on the moon remains one of the most challenging technological feats in the world, with only five nations having succeeded to date," said Administrator Oh. "While it is a difficult challenge, we will steadily accumulate the necessary technology every year to build a solid foundation for the future space economy."

Creating a Southern 'Aerospace Belt'

To foster industrial growth, the government plans to establish an "Aerospace Belt" across the southern coastal region, connecting major hubs such as Changwon, Sacheon, and Jinju in Gyeongsangnam-do, and Suncheon and Goheung in Jeollanam-do. The initiative includes building public-private research centers near the KASA headquarters in Sacheon and creating an aerospace hub designed to attract new businesses and innovation.

The government aims to leverage these strategies to make the aerospace industry a key driver of Korea's future economic growth, effectively expanding the nation's economic reach beyond Earth's boundaries.