Evolution and Dynamics of the Space Industry in South Korea
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.
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.
Download the full analysis
This page contains only a summary of our work. If you would like to have access to all the information from our research on the subject, you can download the full version in PDF format.
Evolution and Dynamics of the Space Industry in South Korea
Author(s)
Related centers and programs
Discover our other research centers and programs
Center for Asian Studies
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.
Find out more
Discover all our analyses
Sri Lanka’s NPP Government. From System Change to Structural Compliance
In September 2024, a relative outsider to Sri Lanka’s two-party-dominated political system, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, won the presidential elections. The anti-establishment, populist movement he represented, the National People’s Power (NPP), went on to receive an overwhelming mandate in the November 2024 general elections, winning 159 seats in a 225-member parliament.
Japan Under Trump: Alliance Strains, the Push for Autonomy and Essential Partnerships
Japan is under pressure from the United States (US) on punitive tariffs and demands for increased defence spending. This has sparked deep concern over US credibility and triggered growing domestic calls for greater autonomy.
Quest for Strategic Autonomy? Europe Grapples with the US - China Rivalry
Building on the 2020 European Think Tank Network on China (ETNC) report, which assessed Europe’s positioning amid the strategic rivalry between the United States and China, this edition re-examines the geopolitical landscape in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine and Donald Trump’s return to the White House. This report features 22 national chapters and one dedicated to the EU, analysing the evolution of Europe’s relations with Washington and Beijing, the range of approaches to dealing the US-China rivalry and how these are expected to evolve.
France seeks third way between US and China in Southeast Asia
The French leader sent a message of partnership but gave few concrete details on sustained engagement plans.