[News Article] South Korea Launched its Own Space Rocket: A Growing Space Ambition
Himmalia Dewi Alya Rahmah — FPCI Chapter Universitas Airlangga
South Korea launched its own domestically-built space rocket on Thursday (21/10). While the KSLV-II rocket or known as ‘Nuri’ had successfully flown to the targeted 700 kilometres of altitude, it however failed to place its 1,5-ton of dummy satellite into orbit. Despite the failure, President Moon stated the test was an “excellent accomplishment” (The Guardian 2021). The launch was recorded as a ground-breaking achievement for South Korea, as it has been trying to acquire the rocket since a decade ago (Yonhap News 2021). President Moon also noted that “The ‘Korea Space Age’ is approaching” since the ability to launch space rockets is deemed to be crucial for the country’s space ambition such as being able to send more advanced communication satellites and acquire its own military intelligence satellites. South Korea’s space ambitions have been increasing since the Trump and Biden administrations decided to ease the decades-long US restrictions on missile development. However, South Korea is still relying on US spy and surveillance satellites to monitor North Korea (Smith 2021; The Guardian 2021).
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) proceeded to launch the rocket and even already scheduled the next test despite North Korea’s latest test-firing of a new submarine ballistic missile (SLBM) on Tuesday (19/10) (Smith 2021). Space launches have long been a sensitive matter on the Korean peninsula as the North is currently facing sanctions over its nuclear-armed ballistic missile programme. North Korea has also been trying to develop a space programme; however, it’s criticized for potentially being used as a cover for developing long-range missiles. In contrast, South Korea’s plan for launching military satellites in the future is claimed to be for peaceful purposes since it contains no weapons (Smith 2021; Yonhap News 2021).
It is therefore worth taking into account the space development in South Korea as part of the country’s greater space ambition for communication and military technology advancement. The ambition which is responded with criticism from the North may or may not potentially alter the regional security dynamics. Therefore, South Korea should safeguard its space programme from jeopardizing the rather stable status quo.
Bibliography
Smith, J., 2021. “S. Korea’s Moon Vows ‘Korea Space Age’ After Rocket Test Falters”, Reuters [Online]. Available in https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/science/skorea-prepares-launch-first-domestically-produced-space-rocket-2021-10-20/
The Guardian, 2021. “South Korea Launches its First Homemade Space Rocket”, The Guardian [Online]. Available in https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/21/south-korea-launches-its-first-homemade-space-rocket
Yonhap News, 2021. “S. Korea Fails to Put Dummy Satellite into Orbit”, Yonhap News Agency [Online]. Available in https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20211021006600320
