Governor Park Wansu: "The First Aerospace Day Ceremony Should Naturally Be Held in Sacheon"

Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongsangnam-do expressed "deep regret" over the government's tentative decision to hold the first-ever Aerospace Day ceremony on May 27 in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, rather than Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do, where the Korea Aerospace Administration is located.

At a press briefing with reporters held in the provincial government conference room on April 21, Governor Park stated, "I recently read a news article saying that the first Aerospace Day ceremony will be held at the Gwacheon National Science Museum. This decision betrays the expectations not only of Gyeongsangnam-do residents but also of the entire nation."

Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Park Wansu is speaking at a press briefing with reporters. Photo by Lee Seryoung

He explained, "At the Central-Local Cooperation Meeting in April last year, I proposed the establishment of Aerospace Day. Subsequently, National Assembly member Seo Chunho, representing Sacheon, Namhae, and Hadong, introduced a special bill, and in November of that year, Aerospace Day was officially designated as a national commemorative day."

Governor Park emphasized, "This is the inaugural Aerospace Day, and it also marks the first anniversary of the opening of the Korea Aerospace Administration. Naturally, the ceremony should be held in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do."

He questioned, "If there are considerations for other regions, couldn't the first event be held in Gyeongsangnam-do, and then the second and third ceremonies rotate among Jeonnam and Daejeon, which together form the aerospace industry cluster's triangular system with Gyeongsangnam-do?"

He added, "We have held three rounds of discussions regarding the Aerospace Day ceremony so far, and Gyeongsangnam-do has promised to provide support for the venue and related events."

Governor Park strongly stated, "The Korea Aerospace Administration says it is a sensitive time due to the presidential election, and that there are difficulties in moving the event to a local area, as well as a scheduled unveiling ceremony for the Nuriho rocket model at the Gwacheon Science Museum. However, I find these reasons difficult to understand. I believe the Korea Aerospace Administration needs to show stronger determination."

He continued, "This morning, I spoke with the Minister of Science and ICT and fully explained the expectations of the public and the position of Gyeongsangnam-do residents. The Minister said he had not been briefed on the matter and would respond after confirming the details."

He added, "Since this is a matter for the government or the Ministry of Science and ICT to decide, I cannot guarantee the ceremony location will be changed. However, I will convey the position of the province and its residents to the Ministry and the Korea Aerospace Administration to ensure the event can be held in Sacheon. That said, it would be inappropriate to make demands to the extent that they provoke regional conflict."