한국의 우주탐사 - 이종현 (Jonathan Lee)

Jonathan Lee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9_5lcRayII

Jonathan FINAL.docx

South Korea’s Space Exploration

Jonathan Lee

In my opinion, an interesting aspect of South Korea is its recent accomplishments in space exploration.

On October 21, 2021, South Korea managed to launch its first domestically-made rocket known as the Nuri. This rocket launch is important because of its military application, the way it can help lead Korea to become a global power, and how it expands Korea’s knowledge of space exploration.

Although Korea had successfully developed a homegrown rocket, the launch faced some setbacks. According to Blue Roof Politics, the rocket’s ignition process and satellite placement operated successfully, but the rocket could not be stabilized in orbit.

You may be asking yourself, “What was the main reason for launching the rocket?” Some sources say that South Korea intends to leverage its space technology to advance its military capabilities. In other words, “[the country] plans to use the rocket to place ‘unblinking eyes’ a.k.a military satellites in a position to observe North Korea, an important step in Seoul’s escalating militarization.”

As such, this rocket test alludes to South Korea’s desire to observe North Korea, particularly as the rogue state continues to place a security threat to the Korean Peninsula. It moreover underscores the importance South Korea places on its arms race with the DPRK (also known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea). 

Today, South Korea is widely recognized as a developing country, and I think its space ambitions will lead the nation on a path toward becoming a global power.

Research finds that “South Korea would become the seventh country in the world to successfully launch a space rocket with an operational satellite weighing more than one ton, following the United States, Russia, France, Japan, China, and India”. This comparison between South Korea and global powers such as the United States, Russia, China, etc. demonstrates Korea following the footsteps of these superpowers. 

Different countries inevitably chart different areas of progress in space exploration. South Korea is fortunate to have the resources and expertise at its fingertips to develop cutting-edge technology to compete against other highly capable nations.

This rocket launch, although not completely successful to its finish, nevertheless gave witness to South Korea’s foray into space exploration. AP news writes about how, “South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who observed the launch on-site, still described the test as an ‘excellent accomplishment’ that takes the country a step further in its pursuit of a satellite launch program”.

I believe that through this technological initiative, Korea will seek to leverage its increasing strength and dynamism to match the opportunities of the 21st century.