Administrator Yoon Young-bin noted that the budget for the Space Agency is one-fifth of Japan's and one-thirtieth of the United States', saying, 'We need a larger budget if we want to enter the ranks of the top five aerospace powers.'
On the 21st, Administrator Yoon held a press conference marking the first anniversary of the agency at its temporary office in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, where he unveiled the agency's achievements and future plans. The Space Agency officially began operations following its inauguration ceremony on May 27 last year.
The first Administrator Yoon compared the past year to setting up a base camp to summit Mount Everest. He said, 'When we opened, we had about 110 staff, but now it has grown to 281,' and added that during a year-end meeting with staff, he mentioned that it feels similar to establishing a base camp to reach the summit of Everest.
The Space Agency summarized its achievements over the past year into ten major points. It analyzed that it increased its workforce, improved living conditions, and expanded international cooperation and joint research. In particular, it noted that the expansion of the aerospace budget is a significant achievement.
The Space Agency's budget increased by 27% from 759.8 billion won in 2024 to 964.9 billion won this year. However, Administrator Yoon pointed out that the budget is still insufficient, stating, 'Although the Space Agency's budget has increased by 27%, it is still not large compared to advanced countries.' He emphasized, 'Japan's budget is five times ours, and the United States spends 30 times as much.'
Additionally, he highlighted the establishment of a research and development ecosystem, the activation of the National Space Committee, and the establishment of a national satellite operating system and mission strategies for various aerospace sectors. He declared May 27, the agency's founding date, as 'Aerospace Day.'
At its launch, the Space Agency declared the New Space era of privately-led space development. Administrator Yoon stated that the agency is contemplating how to present paths for private corporations and is incorporating this into its strategy, adding, 'Such strategies will gradually become a reality alongside budget investments.'
The materials disclosed at the press conference included comments from Kim Min-seok, vice president of the Korea Aerospace Industries Association, who said, 'Even if we want to pursue new projects, there is no budget capacity. The budget for the Space Agency needs to at least reach 2 trillion won to do something.' This indicated the agency's indirect stance, through Kim's comments, that the budget should be increased to 2 trillion won.
Administrator Yoon also expressed his position on various current issues in the aerospace sector. He reported that a consensus was reached on the transfer of the Nuri rocket technology between the Space Agency, Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), and Hanwha Aerospace through a trilateral meeting, stating that the technology transfer contract is expected to be finalized within the year.
He stated that the reusability of next-generation launch vehicles will be actively supported through administrative procedures to facilitate the Ministry of Economy and Finance's review of project feasibility, and that the development of the Korean Positioning System (KPS) will be strengthened to complete it by the originally planned 2035 deadline.
Administrator Yoon said, 'The work of the Space Agency will be a continuous journey of challenges and achievements.' He pledged, 'We will do our utmost to unite the nation's capabilities to leap into the ranks of the top five aerospace powers in the world.'