Goheung, South Korea – South Jeolla Province announced on January 25 that it will begin construction of a major space launch vehicle industrial cluster centered around the Naro Space Center in Goheung.

This ambitious project is part of the South Korean government’s broader plan to foster a private-led space industry. In December 2022, the government designated Goheung as a specialized launch vehicle zone, alongside Gyeongnam (satellite specialization) and Daejeon (research and talent development), forming a triangular network to drive the growth of the domestic space sector.

The province has outlined a comprehensive plan to develop the cluster, encompassing eight key areas and 24 core tasks. This includes the construction of a private launch site and a national industrial complex for space launch vehicles. The entire project is expected to cost 1.6 trillion won and will be completed by 2031.

A 1.753 million square meter national industrial complex for space launch vehicles will be built in Yenae-ri, Bonghwa-myeon, Goheung, with a total investment of 380 billion won. Since its designation as a new national industrial complex candidate in March 2023, the provincial government has secured investment agreements from 11 companies, including Hanwha Aerospace, as well as letters of intent from 38 other companies.

To support the growth of the private space sector, the government has exempted the national industrial complex project from preliminary feasibility studies, ensuring that the project moves forward smoothly. Additionally, the construction of a private launch site and other key infrastructure projects has also been exempted from these studies.

With a budget of 148 billion won, construction of a private launch site, assembly building, and a space launch vehicle technology commercialization center began late last year. The commercialization center will play a pivotal role in fostering the space launch industry ecosystem by supporting the development and commercialization of core launch vehicle components, providing testing and certification services, and addressing the challenges faced by companies in the sector.

The provincial government plans to begin construction of a dedicated launch facility for defense satellites this year. It will also establish engine combustion test facilities, which are essential for developing core engine technologies for launch vehicles and are in high demand among private companies.

Upon completion, the space launch cluster is expected to generate 2.666 trillion won in production, 1.138 trillion won in value-added, and create 27,850 jobs.

“By concentrating innovative infrastructure for space development, research, industry, academia, and government around the Naro Space Center, we will quickly establish a foundation that allows private launch vehicle companies to freely launch their vehicles,” said Soyoung-ho, director of the Strategic Industry Division at South Jeolla Province.