Korea Launches Drive to Build Its Own ‘Starlink-Style’ Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communication Network

[Financial News] The government has launched a pan-government task force to begin full-fledged review of a project to build a "space superhighway" that makes use of outer space.
On the 26th, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) and other related ministries held an inauguration ceremony for the "Task Force for Reviewing Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications" at the Koreana Hotel in Seoul, together with experts from industry, academia and research institutes.
Low Earth orbit satellite communication (LEO satellite communication) can provide services even in areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. It is regarded as a technology with high utility in disaster response, defense, maritime and aviation sectors.
In the global market, private companies and major countries are racing to secure an early lead. As a result, its role as a strategic asset for national security and safeguarding communication sovereignty is growing stronger.
Amid this trend, discussions are under way in Korea on building a low Earth orbit satellite communication network, both to reduce dependence on foreign systems and to foster a domestic industrial ecosystem.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea and DAPA are planning a low Earth orbit satellite communication system project to prepare for future battlefield environments and are pushing to deploy it as a military capability. However, the enormous budget and advanced technologies required make cooperation among the public sector, private sector and armed forces an essential task.
The Task Force for Reviewing Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications will examine the feasibility of building a low Earth orbit satellite communication network, while also reviewing options for international cooperation. Key topics include demand analysis, domestic technological capabilities, costs and economic viability, and operational models.
In addition, the government plans to operate a separate advisory group made up of experts in telecommunications, space, defense and economics to support policy and technical reviews.
The low Earth orbit satellite communication task force launched by the government is drawing attention as a blueprint to build an indigenous satellite network that will serve as core infrastructure for 6G. Through this, the Republic of Korea (ROK) aims to strengthen the position of its companies in the global space economy and secure new growth engines for the future.

wangjylee@fnnews.com Lee Jong-yoon Reporter