posted 05-31-2024 11:06 AM               

President Yoon Suk Yeol Celebrates the Launch of the Korea AeroSpace Administration, Fulfilling His Promise to the People

President Yoon Suk Yeol attended a ceremony to launch the Korea AeroSpace Administration (hereinafter KASA) and the first meeting of the National Space Committee this afternoon (May 30, Thursday). The event took place at KASA's temporary headquarters in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province.

The act establishing KASA was submitted to the National Assembly in April last year and was passed during the plenary session this January. Today's inaugural ceremony was held to widely proclaim its launch, emphasizing Korea's commitment to realizing its vision of becoming one of the world's top five space powerhouses and opening the new space era.

In his commemorative remarks, President Yoon declared that today marks Korea's new takeoff toward space. He stressed that Korea must write a new chapter in history by taking the lead in setting "space standards" in the age of space exploration, drawing a parallel to humanity's exploration of the seas 500 years ago.

The President highlighted that space technology represents the quintessence of cutting-edge science and technologies and the most powerful future growth engine. He emphasized that KASA will play a pivotal role in driving the Republic of Korea's space economy, amidst the fierce competition among over 70 countries worldwide to establish institutions dedicated to the space industry.

The President said that KASA will usher in a "new space era" by cultivating experts while intensively supporting the aerospace industry ecosystem and fostering challenging and innovative R&D. He added that the organization will strive to land a homegrown probe on the moon by 2032 and push ahead with the "Space Gwanggaeto Project" to plant the Taegeukgi, Korea's national flag, on Mars by 2045. The President went on to say that, like King Gwanggaeto the Great, whose indomitable spirit and audacious embrace of challenges vastly expanded the territory of Korea's ancient Goguryeo Kingdom, Korea will emerge as a country that leads space development by boldly taking on the challenge to reach uncharted areas of space.

The President also said that KASA's disruptive innovation will become a milestone, spearheading the transformation of civil service and government organizations. He added that – being R&D focused, expert driven and project oriented – KASA will respond to even small changes in an agile and flexible manner, open all of its positions to civilians, including foreigners, and treat the best experts in a manner befitting their abilities.

As the Chairperson of the National Space Committee, the President said that he will fully support the challenges and innovations needed to reach space by expanding the relevant budget to more than 1.5 trillion won by 2027 and attracting investments of approximately 100 trillion won by 2045. He emphasized that the country will nurture one thousand space businesses and help ten of them grow into world-class companies. Notably, the President said that he would make Sacheon, KASA's base town, the center of cutting-edge space science and technology and the Toulouse of Asia, where talented individuals from around the world gather.

The President pledged to foster the dream of the space age together with the people as he designated May 27 – the day KASA was launched – as "Aerospace Day," a national commemorative day.

The President then presided over the inaugural National Space Committee meeting as its Chairperson and was briefed on KASA policies aimed at turning Korea into one of the world's top five aerospace powerhouses. He stressed the necessity to take on challenges in a bolder, more innovative and more strategic manner so that our country, a late starter, can lead the space economy. He asked KASA to aim for the world's best through global partnerships as well as collaboration with industry, academia and research institutions.

Today's meeting was titled "National Space Committee with the People" to mark the launch of KASA and the inaugural Committee meeting. In addition to the Space Committee members, people from all walks of life took part in the meeting. Among the 250 gathered were government officials and politicians; representatives from industry, academia and research institutions; citizens; and students. The event served as an opportunity to discuss the direction of Korea's space policy.

Before the inauguration ceremony, the President attended the Aerospace Festival with Future Generations to commemorate the launch of KASA, which was held at the Sacheon Aerospace Science Museum and Aerospace Museum. He gave words of encouragement to the students who won the aerospace competition and enjoyed the Black Eagles aerobatic team's air show and various other events along with the citizens present.

Next, an unveiling ceremony was held at KASA's temporary headquarters. As soon as the National Space Committee meeting ended, the President concluded the event by giving encouragement to each and every KASA employee.