Space Cheong Accelerates Steps for International Space Cooperation

Signing MOUs with Uzbekistan and Italy,
and Bilateral Talks with the European Space Agency

The Korea Aerospace Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Uzbekistan Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency, and discussed strengthening cooperation with the European Space Agency on the international space stage.

On the 8th, the agency announced that Director Yoon Young-bin attended the '2025 Space Symposium' held on the 7th (Korean time) in Colorado Springs, USA, where he expanded international space cooperation and solidified strategic partnerships, creating opportunities to enhance Korea's influence in the space arena.

Yoon Young-bin, Administrator of the Space Aviation Agency (right), is taking a commemorative photo after signing a memorandum of understanding with Teodoro Valente, Administrator of the Italian Space Agency. Photo by Space Aviation Agency

On the 7th, the agency signed an MOU with the Uzbekistan Space Agency to concretize cooperation in various fields including satellite development, space workforce training, and sharing experiences in national space policy and strategy, which are key interests of Uzbekistan.

The agency plans to support Uzbekistan's space activities to ensure that cooperation goes beyond simple technology export and leads to mutual growth opportunities for both countries, thereby further solidifying South Korea's role in the global space ecosystem.

On the same day, the agency also signed an MOU with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) for cooperation in space activities. The Korea Aerospace Agency and ASI are forming joint working groups by sector to explore cooperation agendas, and once specific cooperation items are identified, they plan to sign implementation agreements and proceed in earnest.

Strengthening cooperation with Italy, a founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and a country with advanced space technology, is expected to serve as a foothold for technology exchange and joint project promotion with Europe, as it can lead to joint mission execution, technology exchange, and mutual support in the space industry between the two countries.

Discussions on cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), which began during a bilateral meeting between agency heads at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) last October, were also continued.

Following a seminar held with the ESA delegation that visited Korea in January, as cooperation items between the two agencies became more concrete, the bilateral meeting between agency heads held on this day discussed current issues such as establishing a framework to implement activities in mutually interested areas including network operation and ground data systems, space exploration, and satellite navigation.

Director Yoon Young-bin of the Korea Aerospace Agency stated, "Through cooperation encompassing both advanced and emerging countries, the agency will drive technology exchange and mutual growth, establishing itself as a key partner in international space cooperation."