Page 96 - 2020 Defence White Paper

governance and the basic directions
for national space development. The
revised Basic Plan provides the basis
for the development of military re-
connaissance satellites and space
threat surveillance systems. In the fo-
llowing year, the "Basic Plan for the
Development of Defense Space power" Establishment ceremony of the ROK Air Force
Satellite Surveillance Control Unit (September 2019)
was revised, reflecting the changes
in the space security environment. In accordance with the mid- to long-term
development goals for defense space power, the revised plan presents four key areas–
establishment of a policy framework, development of an operating system, buildup
of space capabilities, and expansion of internal and external cooperation–and
detailed implementation tasks for each field.
To establish a policy framework for the development of defense space power, the
MND has legislated and revised the relevant laws and is carrying out R&D activities
for space technology. While bolstering the organizations in charge of space-related
affairs at the JCS and each service branch, the MND is fostering space specialists by
offering educational opportunities at home and abroad. With an aim to secure space
surveillance capabilities over the Korean Peninsula, the MND launched the ROK Air
Force Satellite Surveillance Control Unit–the ROK’s first space unit–in 2019. The
unit was renamed as the "ROK Air Force Space Operations Unit" the following year.
Also in 2020, the ROK’s indigenous military communications satellite was launched,

making the ROK the 10th country in the world to acquire a military satellite. The
MND plans to continue to acquire various space assets such as surveillance and
reconnaissance satellites and early warning satellites in order to fully strengthen
its space capabilities. Efforts will be made to strengthen civilian-military space
technology cooperation for the development of defense space power and to further
expand cooperation with friendly nations including the United States and France in
the space domain.
Moreover, the MND will endeavor to enhance its defense space power while
maintaining a close cooperation system with related ministries and agencies
considering the changes in the space security environment.

Development of Defense Space Power Based on the ROK–US alliance,
Based on the ROK-US Alliance the ROK and the US are exploring
Launch of
ANASIS-II various areas of cooperation in the

94 2020 Defense White Paper