
South Korea and US boost cooperation on space exploration and satellite systems
South Korea and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening space cooperation, with discussions covering lunar exploration, satellite navigation, and maritime domain awareness, South Korea’s foreign ministry said Tuesday.
The high-level dialogue took place in Washington on Monday as part of the fourth Civil Space Dialogue—the first such talks since the beginning of former President Donald Trump’s second term, according to Yonhap news agency.
One of the key topics was South Korea’s expanding role in the U.S.-led Artemis lunar exploration program. The allies also explored opportunities for Seoul’s involvement in current and future missions led by NASA.
In terms of satellite navigation, both countries discussed interoperability between South Korea’s Korea Positioning System—currently under development—and the United States’ Global Positioning System. Enhancing this synergy is expected to benefit not only navigation services but also strategic cooperation in space-based technologies.
Recognizing the growing importance of maritime domain awareness through space-based technologies, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation between their relevant authorities. This includes sharing infrastructure and data to better monitor maritime environments.
The dialogue also addressed the need for a resilient space industry supply chain. Both countries discussed sharing data related to component testing and radiation effects, crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of space-bound technologies.
In a show of commitment to peaceful space development, South Korea and the U.S. also agreed to pursue trilateral cooperation with Japan, particularly in private and commercial space sectors.
The dialogue concluded with both sides affirming the importance of long-term sustainability in outer space and pledging to continue collaboration in areas critical to the future of space exploration and technology.