The South Korean government has reviewed plans for a national industrial complex dedicated to space launch vehicles in Goheung, covering an area of 1.52 million square meters. The government aims to finalize the types of industries and land use plans based on the review results and begin compensation procedures next year, with the goal of completing the complex by 2032.
On October 27, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held a meeting of the Central Industrial Complex Planning Review Committee to discuss the Goheung space launch vehicle industrial complex. The complex will be developed in Bongnae-myeon, Goheung County, over approximately 151,966 square meters (about 46 acres) with a budget of 172.9 billion won. The Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and the Jeonnam Development Corporation will participate as project implementers, with the project scheduled from 2026 to 2032.
The Goheung space launch vehicle industrial complex is one of the new advanced national industrial complexes being promoted by the government. In June 2024, the Ministry of Land decided to exempt the preliminary feasibility study for the Goheung space launch vehicle industrial complex and the Uljin nuclear hydrogen national industrial complex to advance these projects as national policy initiatives.
The complex has secured demand for occupancy by signing agreements with 11 key anchor and startup companies, including Hanwha Aerospace and Innospace. Additionally, a defense science research institute linked to the Defense Space Test Center, currently under construction nearby, is also expected to move into the complex.
The targeted industries include aerospace-related manufacturing, parts industries, and research and development. The Ministry of Land plans to finalize the industrial complex plan reflecting the reviewed industries and land use plans and begin compensation procedures in 2027.
Nearby, the Naro Space Center is located, and a private launch site managed by the Korea Aerospace Administration is also set to be constructed by 2027. The defense science research institute linked to the Defense Space Test Center is also planning to move into the national industrial complex. Goheung was designated as a space industry launch vehicle cluster in December 2022.
The Ministry of Land anticipates that the establishment of the industrial complex will generate 295.8 billion won in production effects and create 1,673 jobs, based on an analysis released by the Korea Local Finance Corporation's Local Investment Analysis Center in January of this year.
Park Ji-hong, Director of the Ministry of Land's Urban and Regional Planning Bureau, stated, "Establishing a manufacturing and research hub for space launch vehicles in Goheung, which has the only launch site in the country, will create synergy for the development of the aerospace industry and secure future growth engines based on advanced industries. We will ensure the successful establishment of the industrial complex."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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