Nuri's Fifth Launch Succeeds... Lee: "Shorten Launch Cycle, Accelerate Tech Development"

Watched live with aides at Cheong Wa Dae
Successfully deployed 15 satellites, including the country’s first five-satellite constellation, into orbit
Five more Nuri launches planned through 2032

After watching the successful fifth launch of Nuri on Oct. 7, President Lee Jaemyung ordered officials to further shorten the intervals between launches and accelerate advances in satellite technology. The plan is to continue increasing launch opportunities to support private companies’ entry into the commercial space transportation market. The government decided to add five launches to the existing Nuri launch plan and continue launches through 2032.

President Lee Jaemyung watches a broadcast of the fifth launch of the Korean launch vehicle Nuri at Cheong Wa Dae on Oct. 7, 2026. Yonhap News.

Presidential spokesperson Kim Seongwan said at a briefing that President Lee watched a live broadcast of Nuri’s fifth launch that afternoon from his office at Cheong Wa Dae, alongside the chief of staff, the policy chief and the senior secretary for AI and Future Planning. While waiting for the launch, President Lee reportedly asked Senior Secretary Lee Haemin in detail about launch preparations and progress, as well as the types and functions of the satellites aboard Nuri. Lee explained that the launch would mark an opportunity to lay the groundwork for private companies to enter the launch vehicle market by transferring a substantial amount of related technology from the government to the private sector, while also enhancing the reliability of launch vehicles through the country’s first launch of a satellite cluster.

President Lee watched the launch for about 20 minutes after Nuri’s liftoff, until all the satellites had been deployed. Cheong Wa Dae said he celebrated by applauding with his aides when the screen showed confirmation of the successful launch and Korea Aerospace Research Institute officials cheering. President Lee particularly praised the launch as the result of the government’s active support for space launches and reportedly urged officials to “further shorten the intervals between launches and accelerate advances in satellite technology.”

Since taking office, President Lee has also called for an expansion of Nuri launches, believing that domestic companies need sufficient launch experience and opportunities to enter the rapidly growing global aerospace market. In line with his policy of “at least one launch a year,” the original plan for six Nuri launches between 2021 and 2027 was expanded to include five additional launches through 2032, with the total project budget increased by 328 billion won.

“While the previous administration conducted just two launches over 36 months, the Lee Jaemyung administration has carried out two launches in just 17 months,” spokesperson Kim said. “We plan to continue increasing the number of launches.” He added that it was “an important step toward laying the groundwork for our companies to keep pace with the rapidly growing global aerospace market.”

President Lee Jaemyung applauds as he watches a live broadcast of the successful fifth launch of the Korean launch vehicle Nuri at the Blue House on the 7th. From left: Lee Haemin, Senior Secretary for AI and Future Planning; Kang Hunsik, Chief of Staff to the President; President Lee; Ha Jungkyung, policy chief; and Kim Seongwan, spokesperson. Oct. 7, 2026. Yonhap News Agency.

Nuri’s fifth launch that day carried a record 15 satellites and successfully deployed five satellites in a cluster into their target orbits for the first time in the country. “Since the start of the Lee Jaemyung administration, Nuri launches have proceeded smoothly, without delays or failures,” spokesperson Kim said. “This success will enhance the reliability of South Korean launch vehicles and serve as an opportunity for the domestic space industry to take off in earnest.”

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