The government will aggressively seek to enhance our national security capacity in space. They plan to secure the ability to monitor and observe the Korean Peninsula from space by the 2030s. They also plan to launch an unmanned module to the moon in 2032 and to Mars in 2045 and will create a space industry cluster in Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangnam-do and Daejeon.

On December 21, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo presided over a meeting of the National Space Committee at the government office in Seoul. The committee deliberated and made decisions on government plans to designate a space industry cluster and to develop an ultra-small satellite system, as well as the Fourth Basic Plan for Space Development Promotion.

The basic plan for space development is the top legal plan that sets the mid to long-term objective and direction of the nation’s space program. The basic plan is established every five years, and the latest fourth plan will be implemented from 2023 until 2027.

At the center of the fourth plan lies a specific goal to become a powerhouse in space economy by 2045. The key objective of the plan is to successfully land on the moon in 2032 and on Mars in 2045, focusing on the development of technology enabling South Korea to secure its own ability for unmanned explorations. The plan also presented the goal of securing the ability to launch a manned spacecraft in 2045. In particular, it stated plans to develop the capacity to guarantee security in space. The government plans to expand the domestic surveillance and observation infrastructure by the 2030s and in the 2040s enhance the capacity to contribute to international cooperation.

Oh Tae-seok, first vice minister of science and ICT said, “What’s characteristic of the fourth basic plan is that it includes space security,” and explained, “It’s a concept that includes the increase in space security assets as well as preparation for falling space objects and collisions with them.”

When asked if the expansion of surveillance and observation infrastructure meant the development and operation of reconnaissance satellites, Vice Minister Oh said, “It is hard to specifically state at this stage whether it is a reconnaissance satellite or not,” and added, “You need to consider that this is an issue related to security.”

On December 19, North Korea released a picture believed to have been captured by a test spy satellite. The picture showed downtown Seoul and the Port of Incheon. South Korea does not own a reconnaissance satellite and relies on U.S. assets. The first launch of an independent spy satellite is scheduled for 2024.

To execute the fourth basic plan, the government will double its investment in space development from 730 billion won in 2021 to 1.5 trillion won in 2027. It will also establish a national aerospace agency and prepare various legislation related to space.

Jeollanam-do (Jeonnam), one of the three regions included in the space industry cluster which will be home to a district specializing in projectiles, is where the Naro Space Center is located. The region will create a specialized industrial complex and construct key infrastructure, such as a private launch site.

According to the government assessment, Gyeongsangnam-do (Gyeongnam), which will specialize in satellites, has excellent manufacturing capacity with related companies concentrated in the region. An industrial complex and space environment test facility will be housed here. Daejeon was designated as a special zone for research and human resource development. The government plans to support future R&D and the training of competent talent in this area.

In addition, the government will promote the development of an ultra-small satellite system and build a system that will enable the government to monitor crisis situations on the Korean Peninsula and surrounding waters using images from multiple radar and optical satellites.