Government and Opposition Clash Head-On Over 'Space Aviation Agency Act'

O Tae-seok, 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, "Will Submit as Originally Planned"
No Reflection of Opposition Opinions on Establishment under the Ministry of Science and ICT
Opposition Party to Submit Independent Bill This Week, Clash Expected in National Assembly

The government plans to submit the Special Act on the Establishment of the Space and Aviation Agency to the National Assembly as originally proposed, setting up a direct confrontation with opposition parties that oppose it.

Public hearing on the Special Act on the Establishment of the Space Aviation Agency held by the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 15th. Photo file.

On the 28th, Oh Tae-seok, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, told reporters that the recently announced Special Act on the Establishment of the Space and Aviation Agency "will be discussed at the vice ministerial meeting tomorrow (29th) and then at the Cabinet meeting next week, and will be promptly submitted to the National Assembly." Regarding whether there were any changes during the public opinion gathering and inter-ministerial consultations held until the 17th, Vice Minister Oh said, "Since it is a bill, the wording is important, so some adjustments were made," but added, "there are no major changes."

Vice Minister Oh particularly responded to the opposition parties' objections by saying, "There is no significant difference in the overall framework," and stated that the matter will be discussed in the National Assembly. He said, "There is no disagreement on the need to actively pursue space development," adding, "Since multiple ministries are involved, it is important to efficiently consolidate resources and coordinate, but it seems the opposition is proposing a different form." He continued, "The government’s plan also aims to elevate the chairperson of the National Space Committee to the President to facilitate effective coordination," and added, "The opposition suggests establishing a separate organization under the committee, which will be discussed."

Earlier, on the 2nd of last month, the government announced the Special Act to establish the Space and Aviation Agency as a central administrative agency under the Ministry of Science and ICT and collected public opinions until the 17th. The agency will be a vice-ministerial level institution responsible for space development and aviation technology research and development (R&D). To attract specialized talent, the bill includes unprecedented provisions such as exceptions to the stock blind trust system, guaranteeing salaries at the level of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and ensuring independent organization, budget, and personnel authority.

However, the Democratic Party of Korea opposes the bill, arguing that since the agency will be under the Ministry of Science and ICT, it will be difficult to enact independent enforcement rules, making it hard to guarantee independence, and that it will become another "Space Science and Technology Agency." Concerns have also been raised about the side effects of the stock blind trust system. Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Seung-rae plans to submit an opposition party’s alternative bill to the National Assembly within this week.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister Oh said regarding the third launch of Nuriho, "It is proceeding without any issues," but hinted that it might be delayed somewhat from the initially expected early May. He explained, "It depends on the readiness of the satellites to be loaded, such as next-generation small satellites," and said the launch is planned around May to June. Vice Minister Oh added, "The Space Development Promotion Working Committee meeting on the 31st will review the approval for the third Nuriho launch. If approved, the final launch schedule will be confirmed at the Launch Management Committee meeting around mid-April, considering various conditions such as weather."