Closed Shipyard Building Transformed into Space Aviation Agency Headquarters

SPP Joseon Building Transforms into Space Aviation Agency Base Following Aron Airship Vessel
Ministry of Science and ICT Aims to Finalize Contract This Month

The closed shipbuilding company’s office building is being transformed into a control tower responsible for South Korea’s space policy.

Temporary Office Building of the Space Aviation Agency Selected as the Preferred Negotiation Partner: Aaron Airship Building

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 8th, the ministry held an evaluation committee for the temporary office of the Space and Aeronautics Administration on the 7th and selected the Aron Aircraft Shipbuilding office building located in Sanam-myeon, Sacheon-si as the preferred candidate for the temporary office. This building was also the office of SPP Shipbuilding.

The Ministry of Science and ICT closed the call for the temporary office of the Space and Aeronautics Administration on the 2nd but accepted additional applications over two days on the 5th and 6th. The ministry promptly held the evaluation committee the day after the application deadline. This is interpreted as a decision to quickly select the temporary office building and expedite the opening procedures according to the original plan, instead of delaying the schedule due to the re-application process. The physical time for the opening of the Space and Aeronautics Administration, scheduled for May 27, is tight.

Although the Ministry of Science and ICT conducted a re-application, it is understood that no additional applications were received. This is because buildings meeting the ministry’s required standards are rare in the area. Therefore, the decision was made among the previously submitted buildings. The Aron Aircraft Shipbuilding office building was recommended by Gyeongnam Province and Sacheon City.

Lee Jae-hyung, head of the Space and Aeronautics Administration Promotion Team at the Ministry of Science and ICT, explained, "We plan to finalize the temporary office of the Space and Aeronautics Administration through detailed negotiations." However, if negotiations fail, there is still a possibility of contracting with the next-ranked building. Sacheon City stated that since the ministry has decided on the location of the temporary office, it will promptly provide support.