On Korea: Academic Paper Series
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On Korea: Academic Paper Series 2014About On Korea: Academic Paper Series
In December 2006, KEI initiated our Academic Paper Series in which we commission up to 10 papers per year with diverse perspectives on original subjects of current interest to Korea watchers. This year-long program provides both leading Korea scholars and new voices from around the world to speak and write on trends and events affecting the Korean peninsula.
The Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea) is an emerging space-faring nation seeking to expand its space capabilities in the realms of science, communications, commerce, and national security affairs. The country has passed three important space milestones: the launch of Korea’s first satellite, Kitsat-1 (Uribyŏl-1) on 10 August 1992; manned space flight by Korea’s first astronaut, Yi So-yeon (Yi So-yŏn), on 8 April 2008; and the successful satellite launch with an indigenous Naro (KSLV-1) space launch vehicle (SLV) on 30 January 2013.
Korea now has ambitious plans to develop powerful space launchers, advanced satellites, lunar probes, and deep space exploration capabilities. Seoul’s space ambitions partially have been driven by an inter-Korean space rivalry,1 but the two Korean space programs have significant differences. This paper first will explain the legal and institutional foundations of the ROK space program before turning to the development of space launch vehicles, satellites, and deep space probes. The paper will explore ROK plans for space applications and space security, as well as the possibilities for international competition, conflict, and cooperation in outer space.