'Post-General Election' Major Personnel Changes Expected in Science and Technology Including Space Agency Chief

A large-scale personnel reshuffle in the science and technology sector is expected following the 22nd general election. This is because appointments for the head of the Korea Aerospace Agency and government-funded research institute directors in the science and technology field are lined up.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is encouraging employees during his visit to the Satellite Operations Building Integrated Control Room after attending the Space Economy Vision Proclamation Ceremony held at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon on the afternoon of July 6, 2022.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the scientific community on the 11th, an appointment for the head of the Korea Aerospace Agency is expected soon. The agency is currently conducting recruitment for general fixed-term employees, transfers of existing civil servants, and a demand survey for executive-level positions, but the appointment of the head is the most anticipated. To establish the framework of the newly created organization and complete personnel appointments, the selection of the head is urgent. The Korea Aerospace Agency is scheduled to open on May 27.

The appointment of the head of the Korea Aerospace Agency is reportedly being led by the Presidential Office. While most space-related tasks will be handled by the Deputy Director of the Mission Headquarters, the inaugural head has the responsibility to lay the foundation of the agency. Lee Chang-yoon, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, also stated, "The head of the Korea Aerospace Agency must establish the institution’s philosophy."

The head of the Korea Aerospace Agency is more likely to be a domestic figure rather than a foreign national. Since foreign nationals cannot be appointed, the position is expected to go to the Mission Headquarters Director rather than the head. Candidates mainly come from academia and industry related to launch vehicle research and development, but given the agency’s early stage, many believe a politician would be more suitable. A source from the aerospace industry said, "Considering relationships with the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the National Assembly, a politician should take charge of the Korea Aerospace Agency." Bill Nelson, the NASA Administrator, is also a politician. Given the timing right after the general election, there remains a possibility that a ruling party-affiliated figure will be selected.

The replacement of government-funded research institute directors appointed during the Moon Jae-in administration is also accelerating. Following last month’s appointment at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), appointments for directors at the Korea Institute of Materials Science and the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy are scheduled for this month. The terms of the two directors have already ended, and the Korea Institute of Materials Science is even in the process of re-advertising for a successor.

The terms of directors at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, which will be transferred from the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST) under the Korea Aerospace Agency, ended last month or will end this month. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute is facing growing conflicts between the labor union and the Ministry of Science and ICT ahead of the transfer, making swift appointment of a director necessary. The terms of directors at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, and Korea Railroad Research Institute also end this month. Besides government-funded research institutes, leadership positions at the Research and Development Special Zone Foundation, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, and Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity are also vacant.

Meanwhile, the National Public Research Labor Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has claimed that the government is either not appointing directors of government-funded research institutes in the science and technology sector on time or not allowing reappointments, and has demanded that employee opinions be reflected in the process.