Military: "Core of Space Security"... First Draft of 'Defense Space Strategy'

'Top-Level Document' First Draft of Defense Space Strategy
Defense Space Development Committee Elevated Under the Minister of National Defense's Leadership

The 4th Defense Space Development Committee
[Photo by Ministry of National Defense]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The military authorities have recognized outer space as a core element of security and have created the 'Defense Space Strategy' for the first time to develop defense space capabilities.

On the 9th, the Ministry of National Defense held the 4th Defense Space Development Committee chaired by Minister Lee Jong-seop, where they discussed the Defense Space Strategy, improvements to the review procedures for defense space development projects, and other matters.

The Defense Space Strategy is the highest-level document for the development of the military's defense space capabilities. It was created for the first time in the form of a strategy document presenting mid- to long-term strategic goals, basic principles, and strategic guidelines divided into 2030 and 2050. The Joint Chiefs of Staff, each branch of the military, the Marine Corps, and related agencies will develop military space strategies and operational concepts based on jointness using the Defense Space Strategy and will expand space capabilities.

Minister Lee said, "Space, once considered a world of imagination and movies, a distant place, has now become a living space and an operational space." He emphasized, "Major military powers already recognize defense space capabilities as a core element of national security and are competitively developing them." He added, "Our military must also make multifaceted efforts, such as continuously expanding space forces equipped with advanced science and technology, to develop defense space capabilities."

The Defense Space Development Committee has been operating since 2018 to review important policies for the development of defense space capabilities, major issues for expanding space forces, and related legislation enactment and revision. To strengthen the linkage with the national space development system and enhance the driving force for the development of defense space capabilities based on jointness, the chairmanship was elevated from vice minister to minister in May.

Along with this, the status was reinforced by having the committee members, who were previously at the director general level, include the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, commanders of each military branch, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.