Page 76 - 2018 Defense White Paper

The ROK Armed Forces will continue to expand the coordination between the ROK and the

United States while enhancing cooperation with international organizations including the UN
and OPCW.

3. Development of Space Defense Capabilities

| Strengthening the Foundation for the Development of Space Defense Capabilities |
The MND has been building and enhancing the environment for the development of space
defense capabilities through the overhaul of the space-related legal and institutional framework

to effectively support military operations in the space in the medium term and has acquired space
defense capabilities to carry out space operations in the long term. The MND has established
the foundation for the development of space defense capabilities, having overhauled the related
legal and institutional framework, installed a space organization within the MND, and operated

the ROK–U.S. space defense cooperation channel. To support effective joint military operations
in the space, the MND plans to reinforce military space organizations and workforce as well as

build up the space force including an electro-optical satellite surveillance system and a military
reconnaissance satellite.
In February 2018, the MND participated in the revision of the “Basic Plan for the Promotion
of Space Development,” which establishes the medium-term theme and plans for national

space development policies. The revised Basic Plan provides the basis for the acquisition of a
reconnaissance satellite and the enhancement of space surveillance organizations’ capabilities.
In addition, the MND is pursuing the revision of the “Basic Plan for the Development of Space

Defense Power,” which ref lects the changing space security environment and the current state
of the ROK’s space defense capabilities. Through the revision of the Basic Plan, the MND will
analyze the changed space security environment, including the rapid expansion of neighboring

countries’ space development, and reestablish the objectives for the future development of space
defense capabilities in the medium and long terms. The MND will also propose tasks to pursue
the development of space defense capabilities mainly in four areas including the establishment

of a policy framework, development of an operating system, the buildup of a space force, and
expansion of external and internal cooperation.
The MND will continue to build the foundation for the development of space defense

74 Chapter 3 Establishing a Robust Defense Posture against Omnidirectional Security Threats