Request for Cooperation on the Passage of the Space Aviation Agency Special Act
Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, has once again taken steps to pass the Special Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Space Aviation Agency, which ultimately failed to pass the National Assembly last year.
On the 4th, Governor Park sent a personal letter to all members of the National Assembly, requesting their cooperation in enacting the Special Act on the Space Aviation Agency during the extraordinary session continuing until the 9th.
Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province's letter to all members of the National Assembly regarding the establishment of the Special Act on Aerospace. [Provided by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]
He began by saying, “Last year, the public dreamed of South Korea becoming a space powerhouse after witnessing the launch of Nuriho and the successful operation of Danuriho, but the delay in enacting the Special Act on the Space Aviation Agency has prevented us from taking the first step toward a leap forward.”
“Eighty percent of the public agree with the establishment of the Space Aviation Agency, and 94% of space aviation workers and students studying related fields actively support its establishment,” he said.
“More than 70 countries worldwide have established dedicated space agencies to strengthen competition and international cooperation,” he added, emphasizing, “There is no more time to hesitate and waste over the establishment of the Space Aviation Agency.”
He also stated, “The future of the nation should not become a subject of political strife and negotiation,” and “Your decision will mark the beginning of South Korea’s century-long plan and become a legacy for future generations.”
He pleaded, “Please give the people new hope as we welcome the new year.”
Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is holding a solo protest in front of the National Assembly urging the prompt passage of the Special Act on the Space Aviation Agency. [Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]
Governor Park has repeatedly urged the passage of the Special Act and the establishment of the Space Aviation Agency by visiting the National Assembly several times.
He has made over 40 proposals to the National Assembly and government, including explaining the urgency of enacting the Space Aviation Agency Act to ruling and opposition members of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee.
To resolve issues related to the establishment, such as the appointment of the chairman and secretary of the Space Aviation Agency and its functions, he also organized forums involving industry, academia, research institutes, and government, and held consultations with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.
In November last year, he conducted a solo protest in front of the National Assembly’s main gate to urge the enactment of the Special Act and held a press conference, meeting with the leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.
Gyeongnam Governor Park Wan-su visited NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, USA. [Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]
Gyeongnam Province formed a delegation led by Governor Park that visited world-class space aviation institutions such as NASA and its Goddard Space Flight Center, and prepared temporary and main office candidate sites for the Space Aviation Agency, making preparations for its opening.
They are also promoting the construction of a space aviation complex city to ensure stable living conditions for Space Aviation Agency personnel and the successful establishment of the agency.
Previously, Gyeongnam Province submitted the Special Act on the Space Aviation Agency, which would serve as Korea’s version of NASA, to the National Assembly and planned to open the agency within the year, but the passage of the law faced difficulties due to political conflicts between ruling and opposition parties and disputes with related organizations.
Although the resolution of related issues through the Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee’s agenda coordination committee review seemed to accelerate the enactment of the law, the Special Act did not come up for a vote in the last extraordinary session of the National Assembly in 2023, resulting in failure to pass it within the year.
Currently, the Special Act on the Space Aviation Agency is included in the contentious bills of the ruling and opposition 2+2 negotiation group, but since the April general election is approaching, there are concerns that if it is not passed in January, the bill’s processing may be delayed.
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