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Seoul's Space Program, Rising Nationalism Could Be Thorn In U.S. Ties
November 21, 2002
KSR-I (Korea Sounding Rocket-I).
Image Credit: Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
Summary
South Korea will launch its first liquid-fueled three-stage rocket on Nov. 27, as part of its budding space program. Seoul intends to develop an indigenous satellite-launching capability by 2005, and recently announced its first military-satellite launch is set for 2006. As South Korea advances in the global space race, however, it may stir concerns not only in surrounding nations, but in the United States as well.
KSR-II (Korea Sounding Rocket-II).
Image Credit: Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
Analysis
South Korea will launch a three-stage liquid-fueled version of its Korea Sounding Rocket (KSR) III on Nov. 27. The launch, the first of an indigenous South Korean liquid-fueled rocket, will take place at Anheung, Chungcheong province, on the country's west coast. A successful flight would mark a major advancement in South Korea's quest for a domestic satellite-launch capability.
Launch of KSR-II.
Image Credit: Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
Neighboring North Korea and Japan will keep a wary eye as South Korea pursues its space program. From North Korea's view, Seoul's commercial rocket program is part of a broader military program to develop missiles and military satellites. For Japan, Seoul's development threatens to compete with its own satellite-launching program, and may in the long term represent a security threat to Tokyo.
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© 2002 Stratfor, Inc.
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Seoul's Space Program, Rising Nationalism Could Be Thorn In U.S. Ties . . .