Yoon Appoints First Space Agency Chief Yoon Young-bin and Mission Headquarters Chief John Lee from NASA (Comprehensive)

"Top Expert Appointed... Please Prepare Thoroughly"
Yoon Young-bin "Will Lead Space Development Efficiently"

President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 24th appointed Professor Yoon Young-bin of Seoul National University’s Department of Aerospace Engineering as the inaugural Administrator (vice-ministerial level) of the Space Aviation Agency. John Lee, former director of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) headquarters, was appointed as the 1st-grade Head of the Space Aviation Mission Headquarters, and Noh Kyung-won, Director of the Research and Development Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT, was appointed as Deputy Administrator of the Space Agency.

Policy Chief Sung Tae-yoon held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon to announce the senior appointments of the Space Aviation Agency, which will launch on the 27th of next month.

Born in 1962, Administrator Yoon completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in Aeronautical Engineering at Seoul National University and earned a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan in the United States. Chief Sung evaluated Administrator Yoon, saying, "Since 1996, he has served as a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Seoul National University, leading the Rocket Propulsion Laboratory. He has conducted research on liquid rockets, gas turbine engines, and more for over 40 years, contributing to the successful development of Naroho, the Korean launch vehicle, lunar exploration, and Phase 1 projects, making him a leading researcher in the field of space propulsion in Korea."

He added, "He has served as president of major propulsion-related academic societies such as the Korean Combustion Society, the Korean Atomization Engineering Society, and the Asian Atomization Engineering Society. He has also held positions as director of the Seoul National University Aerospace New Technology Research Institute and the Next-Generation Space Propulsion Research Center, gaining diverse experience in both research and administration. He is regarded as one of the top experts frequently sought by the media during space-related events, and with his gentle and kind leadership, he is expected to lead the successful launch and stabilization of the Space Aviation Agency."

Professor Yoon Young-bin of Seoul National University's Department of Aerospace Engineering, appointed as the inaugural Administrator of the Space Aviation Agency (from the left), John Lee, former senior executive at NASA, appointed as the Grade 1 Director of the Space Aviation Mission Headquarters, and Noh Kyung-won, Director of Research and Development Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, appointed as Deputy Administrator of the Space Aviation Agency, are attending a personnel briefing held on the 24th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul, listening to an introductory speech by Sung Tae-yoon, Director of Policy at the Presidential Office. [Image source=Yonhap News]

John Lee, born in 1956, is a 1.5-generation immigrant who moved to the United States at the age of 10. He majored in biology at the University of California and earned a master's degree in Public Administration and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University before joining NASA in 1992.

Chief Sung said, "He worked at NASA for 29 years, serving as project manager for the heliophysics project, head of the Satellite Integration and Management Division at Goddard Space Flight Center, and senior advisor, managing major NASA space programs. He also served as a budget manager at the U.S. White House Office of Management and Budget. John Lee is an expert in the space field with project management experience at NASA and the White House, as well as an international high-level network, making him the best candidate to lead the mission-oriented, project-centered Space Aviation Mission Headquarters."

Regarding Deputy Administrator Noh, who graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of Electronic Engineering and entered public service through the 38th Administrative Examination, Chief Sung said, "He has played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Space Aviation Agency. He is a top expert with both technical understanding and administrative expertise. Appointing the Director of the Research and Development Policy Office as Deputy Administrator is intended to ensure the Space Aviation Agency quickly reaches a stable trajectory."

President Yoon, while making these appointments, reportedly urged, "Since top experts in the industry have been appointed to key positions, please prepare thoroughly so that the Space Aviation Agency can successfully launch and lead Korea’s space aviation industry well," according to Chief Sung.

In his remarks on the appointment, Administrator Yoon said, "Just as the United States, which lagged behind the Soviet Union in the past space race, was able to emerge as a space superpower by establishing NASA in 1958 and accelerating space development, Korea also aims to start a new chapter in space development with the establishment of the Space Aviation Agency. Korea possesses considerable technological capabilities in space transportation and exploration through the launch of Nuriho and the development of Danuri. Based on these technologies, I will strive to lead space development efficiently, enrich the lives of our citizens, and make the Space Aviation Agency a source of dreams and hope for future generations."