South Korea’s Space Law Transition: History, Policy Evaluation, and Future Legislative Reform

Dr. Hyoung Joon An
Head of Space Policy Division, STEPI, Korea

Abstract

Since the enactment of the Space Development Promotion Act in 2005, South Korea’s space law has reached a critical turning point with the recent establishment of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA). This presentation evaluates the historical evolution of South Korea’s domestic legislation and its alignment with international space law principles. While recent policy shifts have successfully laid the groundwork for a commercial “New Space” ecosystem, existing frameworks still face regulatory gaps regarding rapid technological breakthroughs. To ensure global competitiveness, this study proposes key legislative reform directions, including streamlined commercial launch licensing, clarified liability mechanisms, and proactive regulations for emerging domains like satellite constellations and space debris. Ultimately, this session outlines a future-ready legal roadmap that harmonizes international compliance with domestic commercial innovation.