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Evolution and Dynamics of the Space Industry in South Korea

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Asie.Visions, No. 137, Ifri, January 2024
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The advent of the 21st century has witnessed the rise of the space industry as a pivotal arena of technological innovation, economic opportunity, and geopolitical significance. Amidst this global landscape, South Korea has emerged as an increasingly influential player in space exploration and technology.

Image principale
Astronaut in a spacesuit places a flag of their country on the planet's surface. A spaceship flying among the stars. Man in open space. Silhouette. Flag of South Korea. Vector.
Astronaut in a spacesuit places a flag of their country on the planet's surface. A spaceship flying among the stars. Man in open space. Silhouette. Flag of South Korea. Vector.
Maria Gaman/Shutterstock
Corps analyses

This paper comprehensively examines South Korea’s strategic approach to its space industry, covering growth patterns, governmental policies, and international positioning.

First, while discussing recent legislative changes and the Korean Aerospace Agency (KASA) establishment, we focus on the space industry ecosystem to highlight a shift to a market-oriented model for sustained growth. The shift in the space industry in South Korea hinges upon various factors, such as well-established governance, the private sector’s capital investment, and legal reforms.

Second, South Korea’s evolving space strategy, spanning three phases and aiming for global space economic power by 2045, is incorporated in the “Space Development 2.0” initiative that outlines goals to integrate space exploration with economic infrastructure. Also, South Korea’s military space strategy, outlining a three-stage plan for enhanced capabilities and institutional restructuring, has emerged as a new component of South Korea’s space strategy. The international cooperation strategy, including a strengthening space alliance with the U.S. and collaborations with emerging space nations, underscores South Korea’s commitment to a global and collaborative approach.

In conclusion, the paper provides a multifaceted analysis, offering insights into South Korea’s trajectory as a critical player in the evolving space landscape, covering legislative, economic, technological, and international dimensions. 

 

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ISBN / ISSN

979-10-373-0820-7

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Evolution and Dynamics of the Space Industry in South Korea

Decoration
Author(s)
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Asia Map
Center for Asian Studies
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Asia is a nerve center for multiple global economic, political and security challenges. The Center for Asian Studies provides documented expertise and a platform for discussion on Asian issues to accompany decision makers and explain and contextualize developments in the region for the sake of a larger public dialogue.

The Center's research is organized along two major axes: relations between Asia's major powers and the rest of the world; and internal economic and social dynamics of Asian countries. The Center's research focuses primarily on China, Japan, India, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific, but also covers Southeast Asia, the Korean peninsula and the Pacific Islands. 

The Centre for Asian Studies maintains close institutional links with counterpart research institutes in Europe and Asia, and its researchers regularly carry out fieldwork in the region.

The Center organizes closed-door roundtables, expert-level seminars and a number of public events, including an Annual Conference, that welcome experts from Asia, Europe and the United States. The work of Center’s researchers, as well as that of their partners, is regularly published in the Center’s electronic journal Asie.Visions.

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Page image credits
Astronaut in a spacesuit places a flag of their country on the planet's surface. A spaceship flying among the stars. Man in open space. Silhouette. Flag of South Korea. Vector.
Maria Gaman/Shutterstock

How can this study be cited?

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Seungjoo LEE, Sangwoo SHIN, « Evolution and Dynamics of the Space Industry in South Korea », Papers, Asie Visions, Ifri, 24 January 2024.
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Evolution and Dynamics of the Space Industry in South Korea