By 2031, 1.6 trillion KRW Invested to Establish National Space Launch Vehicle Industrial Complex to Attract Anchor Companies
Final Cluster Designation Boosts Space Industry Promotion, Lays Foundation for 100,000 Population Unggun Development
[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo] Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gong Young-min) announced that Goheung-gun was finally confirmed as the ‘Space Industry Cluster Launch Vehicle Specialized Zone’ at the 22nd National Space Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the 21st.
The government stated, “To achieve early self-reliance in space technology and create new leading industries, we will revitalize a private-led space industry ecosystem,” designating three regions* as space industry cooperation zones specializing in launch vehicles, satellites, and research & talent development.
Goheung-gun, home to the nation’s only Naro Space Center, was selected as the launch vehicle specialized zone due to its optimal conditions for fostering the launch vehicle industry, including the potential expansion of private launch sites.
To be designated as a space industry cluster, Goheung-gun, together with Jeollanam-do, conducted research projects and engaged in comprehensive activities such as multiple visits and proposals to the government and National Assembly. These efforts bore fruit with the inclusion in the new government’s 120 national tasks and the final designation as a specialized zone this time.
The main contents of the space launch vehicle industry cluster include ▲establishment of a national industrial complex for space launch vehicles ▲construction of core private space development infrastructure such as private launch sites, combustion test sites, and assembly buildings ▲building a space launch vehicle technology commercialization center ▲creating a space launch vehicle science complex for public education, experience, and regional tourism revitalization ▲support for diversification of space materials and components. A budget of approximately 1.6 trillion KRW will be invested in 24 core tasks across 8 fields by 2031.
In particular, about 380 billion KRW of national funds will be invested near the Naro Space Center to create a ‘National Industrial Complex for Space Launch Vehicles’ covering approximately 1,729,174㎡ (about 520,000 pyeong). This will attract more than 10 major anchor companies related to space launch vehicle assembly and parts manufacturing, as well as venture and startup companies, fostering quality job creation and regional economic revitalization.
Additionally, a ‘Space Launch Vehicle Science Complex’ will be established to satisfy the curiosity and provide education in the space field for ‘Nuriho Kids, youth, etc.,’ who will lead Korea’s future space industry, thereby increasing public interest and acceptance of the future space industry.
Furthermore, to address workforce supply issues in the industry, an ‘Industry-Academia Convergence Campus’ will be established within the national industrial complex in cooperation with nearby universities in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions. By attracting regional innovation institutions, government-funded institutions, and testing research institutions, a business model for corporate support systems will be built, also enhancing workers’ living convenience.
The government plans to first conduct a preliminary feasibility study on R&D projects starting in 2023 following this cluster designation, while other projects will be pursued as separate individual projects. Accordingly, the county plans to do its best to respond to the preliminary feasibility study and secure national funding jointly with Jeollanam-do.
Governor Gong Young-min said, “This launch vehicle cluster designation will give momentum to the promotion of the space industry and lay the foundation for growth into a county with a population of over 100,000 in 10 years,” adding, “We will contribute to the development of the national space industry through the construction of space launch vehicle industry infrastructure and focus all efforts on attracting anchor companies and the currently evaluated ‘National Industrial Complex for Space Launch Vehicles.’”
A Goheung-gun official stated, “We will devote all efforts to discovering upstream and downstream space industries and securing related budgets following the designation of the launch vehicle specialized zone. We will also continuously propose detailed project plans through close consultations with central government ministries and the construction of the Gwangju-Goheung (Naro Space Center) highway to improve accessibility.”
Once the space launch vehicle industry cluster is established, Goheung-gun is expected to see significant economic ripple effects, including a production inducement effect of 2.666 trillion KRW, a value-added inducement effect of 1.138 trillion KRW, and employment inducement of 20,785 people.
Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo hss79@asiae.co.kr
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