‘Korean NASA’ opens its doors

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‘Korean NASA’ opens its doors

Published: 27 May. 2024, 16:44 Updated: 27 May. 2024, 18:32

LEE JAE-LIM
lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr

Korea AeroSpace Administration's chief Yoon Young-bin speaks to the press at the inauguration ceremony held at the agency's building in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang, on Monday. [KOREA AEROSPACE ADMINISTRATION]

The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), a new governmental body dedicated to advancing Korea’s aerospace sector, opened its doors on Monday.

KASA was based off NASA from the United States. The creation of the agency was one of the Yoon administration's key campaign pledges. The government aims to develop more than 2,000 aerospace companies and generate 500,000 jobs through the establishment of the agency, with the goal of becoming one of the top five global space powers by 2045.

Yoon Young-bin, a former aerospace engineering professor from the Seoul National University, was appointed to head the agency on April 24.

“I am delighted that KASA, a long-awaited aspiration of many aerospace professionals, finally opened its doors today,” Yoon said at the opening ceremony in KASA’s building in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang. “As excited as I am, I feel a profound sense of responsibility. I believe that the establishment of this agency will serve as a crucial cornerstone in leading our country into [becoming] a full-fledged aerospace powerhouse through fostering a private-led aerospace industry ecosystem.”

Yoon held an inaugural staff meeting to express gratitude to the employees who relocated to Sacheon to work at KASA. A total of 293 employees will work at the agency.

Alongside Yoon, other senior officials to head the agency include KASA’s deputy chief Rho Kyung-won, a senior official at the Ministry of Science and ICT, and deputy administrator John Lee, a former senior executive at NASA.

Lee managed major space projects while working at NASA for 29 years. He also worked at the White House budget office.

Rho was the director-general in charge of launching Korea’s first domestically developed space rocket system, Naro, in 2013. He was also part of the team establishing KASA since last September while serving in the Science Ministry.

“The future tasks of KASA will entail a continuous pursuit of challenges and accomplishments,” Yoon concluded. “To truly become a space technology powerhouse, we need more proactive and concentrated efforts. I urge everyone to give their best for the development of Korea’s aerospace industry.”

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]