[2026 Parliamentary Audit] Oh Taeseok: "One Nuri launch a year is the minimum... We need to move to a multiple-launch system"

At least two launches scheduled for 2030... discussions on launching additional public satellites aboard Nuri
Calls to resolve conflict with KARI labor union: "Resolve it within the legal framework"

The Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) said South Korea must move beyond launching its homegrown Nuri launch vehicle once a year and transition to a multiple-launch system. At least two launches are scheduled for 2030, and the agency is also discussing additional launches of public satellites with relevant government ministries. It said the conflict between the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) labor union and KASA needs to be resolved promptly.

On October 13, KASA Administrator Tae seog Oh responded to a question from Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Hyun about the need to increase the number of Nuri launches during a parliamentary audit by the National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee. "One launch a year is the minimum needed to sustain the industrial ecosystem," he said. "We need to move to a multiple-launch system."

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute released video footage on the 7th showing Nuri, South Korea's homegrown launch vehicle, launching from the Naro Space Center in Goheung County, South Jeolla Province. Provided by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

Oh said related companies had struggled after a two-year gap between Nuri's third launch in 2023 and its fourth launch. The government had therefore drawn up plans for at least one launch a year to sustain the industrial ecosystem, but the number of launches needs to increase further over the long term.

"To launch once, twice or three times a year, the production and manufacturing systems would have to change completely, as would the launch vehicle operations system," he stressed. He explained that the changes needed go beyond simply adding launch dates and must encompass the entire launch vehicle production and operations framework.

He also discussed specific launch plans. "At least two launches are currently scheduled for 2030," Oh said. "We are discussing with relevant government ministries plans to launch other public satellites aboard Nuri in 2030, 2031 and 2032." He added, "I think the number of launches will increase, and I believe it should."

The 2030 launch plans include launching a small lunar lander using Nuri. KASA is working to increase Nuri's launch frequency by securing additional demand for public satellite launches.

Call to Resolve Conflict with KARI Labor Union: "Find a Solution Within the Legal Framework"

The conflict between KASA and the KARI labor union also came under scrutiny during the parliamentary audit that day.

Kim pointed out that tensions had continued between KASA and KARI, which has conducted space development research for years, since KASA opened in May 2024. He said that reflecting the views of researchers and resolving internal organizational conflicts were necessary to ensure the stable implementation of space development projects.

"For aerospace-related projects to proceed without disruption, there needs to be internal unity, and the voices of a diverse range of employees must be properly reflected," Kim said, calling for a comprehensive plan to resolve the conflict.

In response, Oh referred to the implementation of audit findings related to KARI and said, "I believe this needs to be resolved quickly within the established legal framework." When Kim again called for a comprehensive solution, Oh replied, "We will do that."

However, Oh did not provide a schedule for discussions with the labor union or specific measures to resolve the conflict in his responses that day.

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