With the recent successful launch of the ‘Nuri’ and the triumphant entry of the ‘Danuri’ into the moon orbit, the public’s paying keen attention to the space field. In this light, KISTEP established a forum to discuss the current status of the Korean space industry, future strategies to become an advanced country in space technology and policy directions for the new space era.

KISTEP (President Byung-Seon Jeong) held the 149th KISTEP Wednesday Forum on August 10 at the KISTEP International Conference Room under the theme of “The New Space Era, the pathway to the Advanced Country in Space Technology.”

Byung-Seon Jeong, president of KISTEP, stressed the need to introduce new technologies and establish directions to create new areas of space at this point, when the cornerstone of advancing into space had been laid. Then he said, “I look forward to an in-depth discussion on the role of the government to build a private-led space industry ecosystem and leap forward into an advanced country in space technology.”

△Byung-Seon Jeong, President of KISTEP

△Dr. Chin-Young Hwang, Principal Researcher at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)

In the presentation, Dr. Chin-Young Hwang, Principal Researcher at KARI, defined the ‘new space era’ as the shift from the existing government-led system to the ‘profit-making space age’ by private capital. In addition, he noted that the time in which the space field is directly related to national security had come.

Dr. Hwang argued that Korea should expand its scope to defense space and space exploration, saying, “Korea has built considerable capabilities, but its industrial capabilities are insufficient.” However, he emphasized that it should not only focus on industrialization but on continuing balanced efforts for technological independence. In addition, at the domestic level, he suggested that the government and the private sector need to establish mutually complementary relations. He also suggested activating various international cooperation networks with leading countries.

Dr. Seung-su Jun, Director General of the Office of National R&D Coordination of KISTEP, led the panel discussion with the participation of Dr. Ee-Eul Kim, President & CEO of Satrec Initiative, Dr. Jaejin Lee, Director of Space Science Division of Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), and Professor Hwanil Huh (Department of Aerospace Engineering at Chungnam National University).

△Dr. Ee-Eul Kim, President & CEO of Satrec Initiative

Dr. Ee-Eul Kim, President & CEO of Satrec Initiative, repeatedly emphasized the importance of establishing governance and insisted on discussing desirable governance from a long-term perspective, fully reflecting experts’ opinions. He also said, “We will have to diversify our approach to space development, moving beyond the traditional technology-driven development.”

△Dr. Jaejin Lee, Director of Space Science Division of Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI)

Dr. Jaejin Lee, Director of KASI, emphasized the partnership between the government and the private sector and suggested, “If the government creates a foundation for dreaming, the private sector will naturally invest in the space dream on that foundation.” He then stated that forming a public consensus on the space field is essential.

 △Prof. Hwanil Huh, Department of Aerospace Engineering, CNU

Prof. Hwanil Huh, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Chungnam National University, insisted on establishing an independent control tower that oversees inter-ministerial space policies for predictable space development. Also, he urged the government to be thorough when preparing for technology transfer to the private sector. He also said that a large budget allocation will be necessary for Korea to catch up as a latecomer in space field.