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Choi Kyungil, CEO of KT SAT, identified Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province as an ideal location for a “satellite communications ground gateway” linking low-Earth-orbit satellites with terrestrial communications networks. He said South Korea should move quickly to secure orbital and frequency resources as global companies and countries accelerate efforts to build their own satellite networks.

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun delivers opening remarks at the opening ceremony of MARS 2026. Courtesy of Hwaseong City.

Speaking at the “Launch Ceremony and Forum for the Hwaseong Special City Aerospace Industry Promotion Group,” held on November 3 at COEX in Seoul, Choi cited Hwaseong’s proximity to the Seoul metropolitan area, its extensive flatlands, and the potential to secure an environment with little radio interference as advantages of the location.

Choi forecast that the global space economy would grow from approximately $600 billion in 2025 to more than $1 trillion by 2034. He also stressed that, as the era of low-Earth-orbit satellites and AI data centers in space approaches, South Korea must develop its own orbital capabilities and rapidly build terrestrial gateway (Teleport) infrastructure.

“The dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit, which allows solar power to be used reliably, lies at an altitude of 1,360 to 2,000 km. Given the need to maintain appropriate distances between satellites, it can accommodate fewer than 100,000 satellites,” Choi said, warning that it could become difficult for South Korea to secure space for its satellites if global companies launch large numbers of them.

Members of the task force and key officials from industry, academia, research institutes, and government, including Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun, pose for a commemorative group photo at the launch ceremony and forum for the city’s space and aerospace industry task force. Photo provided by Hwaseong City.

He proposed using the frequency and orbital resources for 7,000 satellites for which an international registration application was submitted to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) early this year to build national space infrastructure. The plan is to connect AI data centers that process data in space and satellite communications networks with a ground gateway in Hwaseong, providing AI services even in areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.

Choi said that attracting private space companies to Hwaseong would require coordinated efforts to train skilled professionals, foster collaboration with universities and research institutions, and provide tax benefits and administrative support.

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun said, “I fully agree with the urgency of securing orbital and frequency resources and the need to build a space ecosystem. Hwaseong Special City will take the lead in providing strong administrative support for the commercialization of private space companies’ technologies and the creation of early-stage markets.”

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeonggeun listens to an explanation of aircraft technology at the "MARS 2026" exhibition booth. Provided by Hwaseong City.

He added, “We will actively embrace CEO Choi Kyungil’s proposal for a ‘Hwaseong Space Hub and Incentive Ecosystem’ and develop Hwaseong into a ‘private space cluster’ that attracts companies and talent. By proactively establishing a differentiated incentive system that includes bold tax benefits, administrative support and customized infrastructure, Hwaseong Special City will become a central hub for Asia’s space industry, extending beyond its role as a ground gateway.”

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