1.6 Trillion KRW to Be Invested by 2031
for the Establishment of a Space Launch Vehicle Industry Cluster in Jeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do is set to actively pursue the establishment of a space launch vehicle industry cluster centered around the Naro Space Center in Goheung.
According to Jeollanam-do on the 25th, the government designated Goheung as a launch vehicle specialized zone in December 2022. Along with Gyeongnam (satellite specialized zone) and Daejeon (research and talent development specialized zone), this formed a triangular system, accelerating the development of a private-led space industry.
The plan for the space launch vehicle industry cluster in Jeollanam-do includes eight sectors and 24 key projects, such as building core infrastructure for private launch sites and establishing a national industrial complex for space launch vehicles. A total of 1.6084 trillion KRW will be invested by 2031 to build a robust space industry ecosystem.
The national industrial complex for space launch vehicles will be developed in Yenae-ri, Bongrae-myeon, Goheung, covering an area of 17.53 million square meters, with a total investment of 380 billion KRW.
After being designated as a candidate site for a new national industrial complex in March 2023, investment agreements were signed between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Jeollanam-do, Goheung-gun, LH, Hanwha Aerospace, and 11 other companies, with 38 companies submitting letters of intent to move in.
Based on this strong corporate demand, the government finalized an exemption from the preliminary feasibility study (pre-feasibility study) for the national industrial complex for space launch vehicles in June last year, putting the project on track. Among the 15 newly designated candidate sites for national industrial complexes, this was the first in a non-metropolitan area to receive such an exemption.
The core infrastructure construction project, including the private launch site, was confirmed as a pre-feasibility study exemption project in August 2023. With a budget of 148 billion KRW, the project aims to build key facilities such as a private-use launch site, assembly building, and a launch vehicle technology commercialization center, with work commencing at the end of last year.
By building infrastructure such as a private launch site and assembly building in Goheung, it is expected not only to resolve difficulties faced by companies but also to open up a new domestic commercial launch service market.
The construction of a dedicated launch facility for defense satellites, directly linked to national security, is scheduled to begin in earnest this year. Plans are also in place to establish facilities such as engine combustion test sites, which are essential for private companies to develop core technologies like launch vehicle engines.
If the space launch vehicle cluster is established as planned, it is expected to generate a production inducement effect of 2.666 trillion KRW, an added value inducement effect of 1.138 trillion KRW, and create 20,785 jobs. In addition, not only anchor and startup companies such as Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem, and Innospace, but also various organizations including the Agency for Defense Development are expected to move in, further vitalizing the space industry ecosystem.
Jeollanam-do is also focusing on building sustainable infrastructure and nurturing talent to promote the space industry.
So Youngho, Director of Strategic Industries at Jeollanam-do, stated, "The establishment of the space launch vehicle cluster will not only strengthen the global competitiveness of the national space industry and secure Jeollanam-do's future for the next 100 years, but also serve as a key industry to counteract regional decline. This year, not only Nuriho but also private startups such as Innospace and Unastella are planning to launch their own vehicles."
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