(Unofficial translation)

The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong Ho, MSIT) announced the Basic Direction for Establishment and Operation of the (tentatively called) Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) which outlines overall direction of establishment of KASA, roles and responsibilities by each institution, and draft of organizational structure on July 27 (Thursday). 

The Korea AeroSpace Administration, a specialized and flexible organization, will be led by Commissioner, Vice Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner. The Administration will have a total of seven departments in charge of launch vehicles, space science and exploration, satellites, advanced aerospace, aerospace policies, aerospace business, and aerospace international cooperation, respectively. Importantly, aerospace international cooperation department will be placed under the direct control of the Commissioner, reflecting the significance of global alliance to pioneer the uncharted territory.

KASA can be divided into mission-oriented teams and operational teams. The former will be in charge of policy, R&D, business, and international cooperation, while the latter’s responsibilities include budget, legal affairs, HR, and public communication. In addition, the national infrastructures which hold significance in public values and national security are being reviewed to be formed as affiliated organizations under KASA. Meanwhile, organizations such as the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute will remain under their current affiliation of the National Research Council of Science and Technology, respecting their existing roles and status.

The Administration plans to start with a minimum scale so that outstanding talent can join at any time and continue to expand according to emerging needs and demands. The scale of organization and workforce is under close discussion with relevant ministries, and will soon be finalized.

The key points of the Basic Direction for the Establishment and Operation of the Korea AeroSpace Administration are as follows:

The Administration will serve as the nation’s dedicated organization for aerospace, expanding and strengthening its functions not only in policy and research and development, but also in industrial development and international cooperation, to concretize the “Future Space Economy Roadmap.” The chairperson of the National Space Committee will be elevated to the President (currently the Prime Minister), and KASA will serve as a secretariat while playing a role as the control tower for aerospace. In addition, the Administration will be launched as a specialized and flexible organization with a network-based operational system under a strong leadership.

Universities and research institutions will be assigned roles based on their respective strengths, and through a network-based collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions, an efficient organization will be established to create synergy centered around KASA.

KASA will be responsible for formulating aerospace policies, leading research and development and securing technologies, fostering industries, promoting international cooperation, and nurturing human resources. The aerospace-related policies of ministries, development of industries, and international cooperation will be transferred to KASA for comprehensive management and dedicated execution.

Universities and research institutions will continue their existing independent research while being designated as mission centers for KASA to carry out specific national tasks related to aerospace, and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute will remain under their current affiliation of the National Research Council of Science and Technology.

The organization of KASA will be designed to systematically fulfill the increasing demand and missions in the field of aerospace. It will be composed of mission-oriented teams and operational teams. Among the national aerospace infrastructures currently in operation, those holding significance in public values and national security, such as national satellite operation and space environment monitoring, will be reviewed to be established as affiliated organizations under KASA.

The mission-oriented teams will be comprised of experts of each field and responsible for their unique missions, such as policies, research and development, business, and international cooperation. Importantly, the R&D organization will identify and design missions by each technological field, such as launch vehicles, artificial satellites, space science exploration, advanced aerospace, and be in charge of comprehensive R&D.

The operational teams will provide administrative support necessary for the operation of the Administration, including HR, auditing, public relations, planning and coordination, and operational support, to ensure a stable settlement of the Administration at the initial stage of its launch.

In addition, in areas and organizations where private sector’s expertise or utilization of infrastructure is required, such as universities and research institutions, plans are underway to designate and operate them as mission centers for the Administration. Existing projects unique to each institution will be performed autonomously, and they will also be able to undertake designated projects by field of expertise to achieve the key missions of KASA.

In carrying out research and development, the Administration will lead technological innovation, while industry, academia, and research institutions establish a cooperative system with KASA according to their capabilities and roles.

Building on leading and innovative research at the initial stage, KASA will design large-scale projects that require the consolidation of national capabilities and promote joint research and development with industry, academia, and research institutions.

Projects unique to each institution where the private sector has a competitive advantage will continue to be led and conducted by industry, academia, and research institutions, with dedicated support from the Administration.

Meanwhile, the era of space economy is rapidly approaching worldwide, characterized by the increasing value of space development, the growing importance of space security, and intensifying global competition. Major countries around the world are proactively implementing space development policies, centered around dedicated space agencies to expand space exploration and foster space industries in the private sector.

Against this backdrop, the government has been working to establish the tentatively called Korea AeroSpace Administration as a dedicated organization to take the aerospace sector to the next level and lead the future of aerospace. In April, the “Special Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Korea AeroSpace Administration” was submitted to the National Assembly.

Based on various opinions gathered through public hearings, surveys, and meetings, the necessary preparations for the establishment of the Administration are being made. The basic direction for the establishment and operation of KASA, including roles, functions, and organizational structure, has also been presented.

Minister Lee Jong Ho of Science and ICT stated, “We will thoroughly analyze various tasks and projects currently performed by related ministries, institutions specialized in research management, and government-funded research institutions for their smooth transfer to the Korea AeroSpace Administration upon its establishment. Furthermore, the Ministry of Science and ICT will make dedicated efforts to lead the world in the field of aerospace with the launch of the Administration. We are committed to cooperate with the National Assembly’s review of the bill and will work hard to prepare necessary subordinate statutes in advance through discussions with relevant ministries to ensure the swift establishment of the Korea AeroSpace Administration.”  

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Please refer to the attached PDF.