On April 23, Second Vice Minister Kim Yoon-sang reviewed progress on the preparations for the launch of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) before having a meeting with related agencies, and toured the production facilities of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The visit aims to check on the direction of aerospace industry development and support policies from the government and local authorities.
VM Kim visited the temporary office of KASA in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do (Gyeongnam), where remodeling work is underway (scheduled to open on May 27). After touring the site and inspecting the status of preparations related to the opening including budget, personnel, organization and office environment, he called for the successful opening of KASA without any disruptions.
The government buckles down to support the establishment of the private-led aerospace industry cluster as the National Assembly passed the special act on establishing KASA on January 9. To this end, the government prepared for the launch of KASA with this year’s budget and reserve worth $66.5 billion allocated (approved at the Cabinet Meeting on March 26) and 293 personnel to be staffed (legislated on March 29). Since March, recruitment procedures have been proceeding as well, such as demand surveys for candidates for senior government officials and foreign researchers.
As the government and local authorities are fully committed to providing administrative support for the opening of KASA, VM Kim asked for the utmost efforts to build an innovative and leading organization by recruiting creative experts. Furthermore, he requested all related ministries and local governments to exert their full efforts to ensure the smooth materialization of the ‘vision to build the aerospace industry cluster’ announced on March 13.
At the meeting, KAI, the Korea Aerospace Industries Association (KAIA), and the Gyeongnam Technopark Korean Aerospace Valley (KAV) requested support for manpower supply and corporate support on behalf of aerospace companies. The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Gyeongnam authority pledged that they will do their best to address the industry’s difficulties and revitalize the industrial ecosystem by fostering R&D-based human resources, providing financial support, and improving settlement conditions so that KASA can function properly as a platform for the aerospace industry.
VM Kim then visited the production facilities of KAI and emphasized the importance of KAI, which possess the largest satellite mass production process and a pool of specialized professionals, taking the lead in endeavors to establish the aerospace industry cluster in collaboration with KASA.
He reiterated the aerospace industry’s role as a crucial sector in boosting national economic growth by creating new technologies and high-quality jobs. He also pledged the government’s continuous support by injecting a total of 600 billion won in the establishment of the cluster by 2031, as part of efforts to revitalize future industries and dynamic economic growth in Korea.
Please refer to the attached files.
