The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) officially began operations on Monday, with the aim of formulating South Korea’s space policy and promoting the development of the nation’s space industry.
KASA, South Korea’s dedicated space agency, has been established in Sacheon, approximately 300 kilometres south of Seoul. The agency’s workforce of 293 will be recruited in stages.
Yoon Young-bin, KASA’s chief, stated en route to the headquarters on his first day that the creation of KASA marks a significant step for South Korea towards becoming a leader in the space economy by fostering a private-led space industry ecosystem.
Yoon has committed to enhancing the role of the private space sector to boost the country’s competitive edge in the new space age, where private companies are increasingly driving innovation in space technologies with greater economic efficiency.
KASA will be responsible for crafting the national space strategy, undertaking research and development projects, nurturing talent, advancing the industry, and promoting international cooperation, according to its officials.
The agency will also spearhead the nation’s space initiatives, such as landing a domestically-built spacecraft on the moon by 2032 and Mars by 2045. John Lee, a retired senior executive from the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been appointed as KASA’s deputy administrator in charge of space missions and policies, while Rho Kyung-won, a senior official from the Ministry of Science and ICT, has been named deputy chief.
