Gyeongnam Province: "We Will Pour Support into Establishing the Space Aviation Agency Next Year"

Launch of Establishment Promotion Team and Enactment of Special Act in the First Half of Next Year

Shin Dae-ho, Head of the Western Regional Headquarters of Gyeongsangnam-do, is expressing the province's position on the establishment of the Space Aviation Agency, which will open in 2023. / Photo by Ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Space Aviation Agency is scheduled to be established in Sacheon, Gyeongnam around 2023.

Following the government's announcement yesterday about the establishment in Sacheon, Gyeongnam next year, the Space Aviation Agency Establishment Promotion Team was launched on the 28th.

The ministry plans to announce a special law this year as the legal basis for establishing the Space Aviation Agency, complete consultations with related ministries, and submit it to the National Assembly within the first quarter of next year, aiming for approval in the first half of the year along with the preparation of subordinate legislation.

Gyeongsangnam-do has shortlisted about three candidate sites for construction and will propose them in coordination with the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Space Aviation Promotion Team. It will also scout about three candidate sites for a temporary office and deliver the proposals.

Shin Daeho, head of the Western Regional Headquarters, said, “The Space Aviation Agency will be built in the optimal location where it can operate properly,” adding, “We are planning an administrative complex town with the concept of a new city that includes large-scale residential and commercial spaces centered around the Space Aviation Agency.”

He also said, “In preparation for the launch next year, we will proactively prepare a temporary office that can be used at any time,” and “We will form a policy forum this year with experts from various fields such as aviation, space, and future mobility and operate it regularly.”

According to the government, the promotion team will officially carry out the establishment tasks of the Space Aviation Agency following the presidential decree issued on the 28th.

The promotion team will include seven related ministries and agencies responsible for space aviation tasks as well as organization and legislation, including the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Government Legislation, Ministry of Personnel Management, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The promotion team will operate with three departments: the Strategic Planning Team to develop the mission and strategy of the Space Aviation Agency, the Institutional Planning Team to prepare laws and systems, and the Operational Support Foundation Team responsible for facilities, finances, and other general matters.

An advisory group composed of experts from industry, academia, and research in various fields of space aviation will also be formed.

Gyeongnam Province will communicate with the government to expedite the enactment of the special law and express regional positions on overall operations, while also taking charge of various matters such as providing conveniences when the Space Aviation Agency is established.

Head Shin said, “The aerospace industry is a new growth business that will be responsible for our country's future, and the establishment of the Space Aviation Agency will be a turning point for the development of Korea's future aerospace industry,” adding, “We will dispatch provincial employees to the promotion team to convey Gyeongnam’s position and spare no effort in preparing and supporting the creation of the Space Aviation Agency.”