The government has officially launched a task force to secure a low Earth orbit satellite communications network.

The Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of National Defense, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Korea AeroSpace Administration said they held a launch ceremony for the Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications Review Task Force on March 26 at the Koreana Hotel in Seoul, together with officials from related ministries and experts from industry, academia and research institutes.

Low Earth orbit satellite communications can provide fast and stable services even in areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, increasing its value for use in disaster response, defense, maritime and aviation, among other fields. As global companies and major countries compete to pre-empt the market, its importance is also growing day by day in terms of securing national security and communications sovereignty.

The task force will focus on reviewing the feasibility of securing a domestic low Earth orbit satellite communications network and options for international cooperation. Through regular meetings, it will check demand for low Earth orbit satellite communications networks, domestic technological capabilities, costs and economic and non-economic benefits, and operational plans. It also plans to strengthen policy and technical advisory functions by separately operating an advisory group made up of private-sector experts in communications, space, defense and the economy.

Choi Woo-hyuk (최우혁), director general for the Information Security Network Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "Reviewing the feasibility of securing a low Earth orbit satellite communications network is a very important task that serves as the basis for establishing future policy directions and technology development strategies." He said the ministry would closely cooperate with related ministries and experts to analyse the need to build the network and other issues.

Won Jong-dae (원종대), assistant minister at the Defense Ministry, said, "Low Earth orbit satellite communications are essential infrastructure for making a leap toward an advanced technology-based strong military powered by artificial intelligence," and expressed the ministry's willingness to actively participate and provide support.

Jeong Ki-young (정기영), head of the Future Force Program at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, said, "With the launch of this task force as a turning point, we will consolidate the capabilities of the private sector, the government and the military to advance a phased acquisition strategy ranging from initial use of commercial networks to building an independent network, and make it a catalyst that leads the domestic space industry into the global supply chain."

Noh Kyung-won (노경원), vice administrator of the Korea AeroSpace Administration, said, "Satellite communications are a future core industry that will enhance the overall national economy, from communications to devices, materials and parts." He said the agency would work closely with participating ministries to achieve the goals of securing communications sovereignty and globalising services.