President Lee: "Aerospace, a New Foundation for Economy and Security"... Calls for Fostering a Southern Aerospace Belt

"Significantly Strengthen Public-Private Cooperation to Foster a ‘Korean SpaceX’"
President Lee Calls for Civil-Military Dual-Use Advanced Engine and Civilian Aircraft Development Based on KF-21 Technology

On May 28, President Lee Jae-myung announced his vision to foster the southern regions, including Gyeongnam and Jeonnam, as a comprehensive aerospace belt, identifying the aerospace industry as a new foundation for South Korea’s economy and security. Building on the successful launch of the fourth Nuriho, the Korean-style space launch vehicle, President Lee aims to elevate the nation’s technology in launch vehicles, satellites, and ground equipment to the highest global standards, while nurturing a private sector-driven industrial ecosystem.

President Lee Jae-myung is presiding over the senior staff meeting at the Blue House on the 28th. 2026.5.28 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap News

In his opening remarks at the senior staff meeting held at the main building of the Blue House that afternoon, President Lee stated, “Aerospace encompasses cutting-edge scientific technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, communications, materials, and precision machinery. It is a future core strategic industry with immense growth potential and is an area of global interest.”

President Lee assessed that global competition in the aerospace industry has already shifted to a race for leadership that transcends the boundaries between the public and private sectors. He remarked, “Not only major countries but also private companies like SpaceX are fully mobilizing to secure industrial leadership.”

He also emphasized the need for bold investment in research and development. President Lee noted, “Despite our late start, we have achieved significant results, exemplified by the successful launch of the fourth Nuriho last November, which was prepared jointly by the public and private sectors. Nonetheless, we still have a long way to go.” He added, “We must build a stronger foundation to become a global aerospace powerhouse based on our achievements so far. Through bold investments in research and development, we must rapidly attain world-class technological capabilities across launch vehicles, satellites, ground equipment, and related fields.”

The President identified both the private sector and local governments as key drivers of the aerospace industry. He stated, “The other main players in aerospace are the private sector and local communities. We should significantly strengthen public-private cooperation to pave the way for a ‘Korean SpaceX’ and foster the southern regions, including Gyeongnam and Jeonnam, which possess core infrastructure, as a comprehensive aerospace belt.”

In the aviation sector, President Lee also proposed expanding the technologies developed during the KF-21 indigenous supersonic fighter jet project into the civilian aviation industry. He said, “It would be beneficial to accelerate the development of dual-use advanced engines based on the technologies acquired from the KF-21 project and promote the development of civilian aircraft. We will actively support the aerospace sector to ensure it becomes a new foundation for our economy and security.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.