Page 77 - 2018 Defense White Paper

capabilities through the overhaul of the space-related legal and institutional framework,

including the establishment of the “space development execution plans” in the security f ield
with the consideration of changes in the space security environment, and the revision of the
“Space Development Promotion Act,” for which it will consult and cooperate with relevant

government agencies.

| Development of an Alliance-Based Space Defense Cooperation | The MND has been

strengthening its cooperation with the civilian sector and the government, as well as the ROK’s
allies, to build effective space defense capabilities. The MND has strengthened its cooperation
Chapter 3
with the United States, a space powerhouse, in particular, based on the ROK–U.S. Alliance,

seeking the enhancement of space defense capabilities in various f ields. In 2012, the MND and
the U.S. DoD signed the “Terms of Reference for the ROK–U.S. Space Cooperation Working
Group.” The Space Cooperation Working Group met 11 times, starting in 2013, and achieved
outcomes, including from the sharing of information related to space defense policies as well

as the training, fostering, and exchanges of space workforce to cooperation in space situational
awareness 28) and participation in international space situational exercises.

In 2014, the two countries signed the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on
Space Situational Awareness Service and
Information Sharing, which enables the ROK

to frequently receive various space object-
related information and services from the U.S.
Strategic Command. After the signing of the

MOU, the Air Force set up a space intelligence The Air Force Space Intelligence Center
center in 2015 to secure fundamental capabilities
for space control, and has carried out various missions including analyzing space data, transmitting

warnings of predicted satellite collision to relevant agencies, and taking measures on the situation,
and conducted the space situational exercise during combined exercises. In April 2018, the

28) It is the ability to collect and analyze data from ground and space systems, and provide it to users (prediction or
warning) to avoid space hazards including falling and colliding space objects.

Section 2 Reinforcing Response Capabilities against Nuclear and WMD Threats 75