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  • Korea Focuses on Securing Technology For a Bigger Leap Forward Close
    Korea Focuses on Securing Technology For a Bigger Leap Forward
    The COVID-19 pandemic triggered economic uncertainty and social changes around the world.
    Due to restrictions on international movement and significant shut-downs,
    the trade volume of major countries in 2020 showed a negative growth of 35% compared to 2019.
    Korea showed a growth rate of -37%, which was below the average,
    but its decline was slower compared to China (-49%), Japan (-44%), or France (-43%)
    "Trade Volume of the Aerospace Industry by Country"
    Please refer to the information below
    (Year: 2020, Unit: USD billion)
    • USA
    • France
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • Canada
    • China
    • Spain
    • Japan
    • Italy
    • Repulic of Korea
    Large view of images
    ※ Source: UN Comtrade
    The comparison of the core technology level among major countries in 2020 showed that,
    compared with the US (100%) which has the highest technology level, Korea’s technology level
    averaged 64.3%, an increase of 3.4%p from 2018.
    • Manned/Unmanned integrated autonomous vehicle technology: From 70.0% in 2018 to 80.0% in 2020 (10%p increase)
    • Manned/Unmanned autonomous vehicle integrated control system technology: From 65.0% in 2018 to 70.0% in 2020 (5%p increase)
    Although the trade volume is smaller than that of other major countries, Korea focuses on investing in and
    securing technology (40% of the total investment). Consequently, the technology gap is relatively low,
    compared to the trade volume gap (about 3.5% of that of the US).
    "Major Aerospace Industries in Korea"
    Please refer to the information below
    Comparison of Technology Levels by Sector in Major Countries (Year: 2020, Unit: %)
    • Space launch vehicle development and operation
    • Space environment observation monitoring, analysis technology
    • Space exploration and application technology
    • Manned/Unmanned integrated autonomous vehicle technology
    • Manned/Unmanned autonomous vehicle integrated control system technology
    Large view of images
    ※ Source: KISTEP 2020 Technology Level Evaluation
    "Investment by Private Companies in the Aerospace Industry"
    (Unit: KRW 100 million)
    Investment in Aerospace Industry by Private Companies Category, Years
    Category 2017 2018 2019
    Aviation R&D 147,199(37%) 196,194(36%) 184,875(35%)
    Facility/Equipment 106,593 174,995 179,876
    Land/Building 88,724 69,839 137,570
    Others 51,296 100,586 28,698
    Subtotal 393,812 541,614 531,019
    Space R&D 163,072(89%) 151,576(84%) 133,760(50%)
    Facility/Equipment 17,082 27,422 133,047
    Education Training 1,196 1,046 1,552
    Others 863 21 -
    Subtotal 182,212 180,065 268,359
    Total 310,271 347,770 799,378
    ※ Source: Survey on the Aerospace Industry, Korea Aerospace Industries Association (2020)
    The R&D investment by private companies in the aviation industry in 2019 amounted to
    KRW 18.5 billion (35% of total investment), recording large-scale investment of over 30% for several years.
    Through continuous investment of over 20% in facility/equipment, they focused on technology and
    facility/equipment development.
    The test launch of Nuri, a launch vehicle developed with Korean technology, failed to settle in orbit (October 21, 2021),
    but reached the target altitude. Korea has acquired related generic technology,
    such as 75-ton liquid engine and pairing separation technology.
    Securing self-launching capability means preparing a foothold to advance a new space era for the pace field.
    A total of 300 companies participated in the actual development of Nuri.
    The market is expected to be vitalized in accordance with the government policy for private-led space development,
    for example, creating an ecosystem for launching service.
  • Korea’s Aerospace Industry Creates High Added-Value Open
    Korea’s Aerospace Industry Creates High Added-Value
    The Korean aerospace industry has been continuously growing since 2017.
    Its production stood at approximately USD 6 billion in 2019, which is a 28% increase year-on-year.
    Its exports reached approximately USD 2.8 billion, which is an 8% increase year-on-year.
    It is analyzed that both production and exports increased compared to the previous year in the fields
    of aircraft, engine parts, space, and unmanned vehicles.
    Korean Aerospace Industry Trend Category, Years(2010 ~ 2018)
    ※ Note 1: Production and domestic demand are the performance of Korean aviation manufacturers. (KAI, Korean Air, Hanwha Aerospace, etc.)
    ※ Note 2: Imports are based on MTI statistics. Exports are P/O and contract amounts.
    The number of aviation personnel was 16,637 in 2019, showing a steady increase through 2016 and
    holding steady after 2017. The number of space experts reached 6,643 in 2019, demonstrating
    a steep increase through 2017 but maintaining the trend after that year.
    "Employment in the Aerospace Industry"
    Employment in the Aerospace Industry Category, Years
    Category 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
    Aviation No. of employees 14,318 14,777 15,986 16,859 16,911 16,637
    Growth Rate - 5.0%p 9.0%p 1.0%p 4.0%p -1.6%p
    Space No. of employees 4,257 5,456 5,988 6,708 6,610 6,643
    Growth Rate - 28.0%p 10.0%p 12.0%p -1.0%p 0.5%p
    ※ Source: Industrial Statistical System, Space Industry Survey (2020)
  • Global Aerospace Companies Securing a Base in Korea Open
    Global Aerospace Companies Securing a Base in Korea
    US-based Boeing established the world’s largest Boeing Korea Engineering and Technology Research Center
    (BKETC) in Seoul. The BKETC will recruit and hire experts in autonomous flight, artificial intelligence, avionics,
    mobility platforms, smart cabins, and smart factories to study next-generation aerospace technologies.
    Seoul Boeing Research & Technology Center, IAT Engine Test Cell Large view of images
    Boeing and Korean Air opened an aviation training center in Yeongjong District inside
    the Incheon Free Economic Zone as a joint venture. IAT, a joint venture between Korean Air and
    UTC of the US, established an engine test cell in Yeongjong District inside the Incheon Free Economic Zone
    and is performing aircraft engine tests (B777, etc.)
    "Major Global Aerospace Companies in Korea"
    Boeing, UTC, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Large view of images
  • Commercialization of K-UAM Expands Opportunities to Enter the Aerospace Industry Open
    Commercialization of K-UAM Expands Opportunities to Enter the Aerospace Industry
    The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced Basic Plans for
    the Aviation Industry Development (2021-2030) in March 2021, which propose directions and
    policy tasks for more efficient and systematic policies for aviation industry development.
    Please refer to the information below
    • Infrastructure - Improve infrastructure to overcome industrial crises
    • Conventional Aviation - Reinforce market competitiveness and advance parts industry
    • Future Aviation - Create a UAM/AAM ecosystem and promote industrial convergence
    • R&D - Contribute to industrial development through the development of advanced aviation technology
    Large view of images
    The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has forecast the future (through 2045) for each field,
    including elements such as society, technology, economy, environment, and politics.
    The ministry has set four future visions for the government and proposed policy implications.
    Please refer to the information below
    • Creativity & Innovation - Realize safe daily life without driving through universalization of PAV, an autonomous means of transportation
    • Clean & Safety - Establish an eco-friendly and accident-free transportation system through commercialization of high-efficiency, low-carbon air transport means, such as vertical take-off and landing tilt rotor and PAV
    • Integration & Coexistence - Realize unobstructed traffic through commercialization of door-to-door service cargo and air transport
    • Emotion & Fun - Diversify and generalize mobility through development of a non-transfer transport system that combines driving, flying, and underwater movement
    Large view of images
    UAM Team Korea published K-UAM Concept of Operations 1.0 and
    presented a milestone in innovative UAM development.
    "Main Indicators of K-UAM Development"
    Main Indicators of K-UAM Development Item, Early Stage(2025), Growth Stage(2030~), Maturity Stage(2035~)
    Item Early Stage(2025) Growth Stage(2030~) Maturity Stage(2035~)
    Captain On Board Introduce remote Introduce autonomous
    Traffic management system Step-by-step expansion of the role of UAM traffic management service provider; step-by-step reduction of the participation of air traffic controllers
    Traffic management automation Introduce automation Automation driven and human surveillance Complete automation
    Corridor operation Fixed Corridor Fixed Corridor Network Dynamic Corridor Network
    Aviation network Commercial mobile communication (4G, 5G), aviation voice communication Commercial mobile communication (5G, 6G), low-orbit satellite communication, C2 LINK, etc.
    Navigation system Precision satellite navigation Precision satellite navigation + Image-based relative navigation Complex relative navigation
    Vertiport location and type Vertiport in the metropolitan area Vertiport in the metropolitan and wider area Nationwide
  • Aerospace Clusters and Regional Distribution Open
    Aerospace Clusters and Regional Distribution
    The aviation industry has a number of major companies and testing and evaluation
    facilities located in the Gyeongnam region. A specialized complex for the aviation industry
    has been established in Sacheon, where many key aviation companies, like KAI, are located.
    An avionics MRO cluster has been established in Yeongcheon.
    A total of 449 institutions (companies, research institutes, and universities) participated in
    the space industry as of 2019, mainly distributed in the metropolitan area and Chungcheong area (341, 75.9%).
    A total of 227 space-related companies, dealing with satellite and launch vehicles,
    are located in the metropolitan area. Major satellite companies—like Setrec I--and the Korea Aerospace
    Research Institute, have formed a base in Chungcheong province. Hanwha Aerospace,
    the Korea Aerospace Industries, and other large space equipment manufacturers are located in the Yeongnam area.
    "Major Companies and Infrastructure by Region"
    Please refer to the information below
    • Haemi: Test Evaluation Center(86 maintenance windows, flight test)
    • Daejeon: Innopolis Daedeok(Aerospace Research Institute, Defense Science Research Institute, R&D centers of major companies, avionics specialized areas)
    • Hoheung: Naro Space Center(Aircraft launch vehicle assembly, rocket launch facility, unmanned aerial vehicle flight tests)
    • Changwon: Machinery Industrial Complex(Specialized complex for machinery and mechatronics Over 20 aviation companies )
    • Busan: Gimhae Industrial Complex(Korean Air (Aerospace Division) Over 30 aviation companies )
    • Sacheon: Specialized Industrial Complex for Aviation (Final aircraft assembly site, specialized for aircraft body, over 40 aviation companies, foreign-invested site)
    Large view of images
    ※ Source: Korea Aerospace Industry Promotion Association
    "Major Aerospace Companies and Infrastructure by Region"
    Please refer to the information below
    • Metropolitan 227(50.6%)
      Major Aerospace Companies and Infrastructure by Region(Metropolitan) Field, Category, Major Institutions
      Field Category Major Institutions
      Space equipment manufacturing Company LIG Nex1
      AP Satellite
      Research institute National Institute of Environmental Research
      University Seoul National University Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Aerospace engineering major
      Satellite utilization Company Humax
      KT Skylife
      KT Sat
      University Ajou University Department of Space Survey Information Technology
      Kyunghee University Global Campus Department of Space Science
      Yonsei University Department of Astronomy and Space Science
    • Gangwon 6(1.3%)
      Major Aerospace Companies and Infrastructure by Region(Gangwon) Field, Category, Major Institutions
      Field Category Major Institutions
      Satellite utilization Company Gitt
      Space utilization University Sangji University Department of Civil Engineering
      Gangneung-Wonju National University Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences
    • Chungcheong 114(25.4%)
      Major Aerospace Companies and Infrastructure by Region(Chungcheong) Field, Category, Major Institutions
      Field Category Major Institutions
      Space equipment manufacturing Company Satrec I
      Korea Aerospace Research Institute
      Research institute Korea Basic Science Institute
      University KAIST Department of Aerospace Engineering
      Space utilization Company Navcours
      KNSInc
      Research institute National Meteorological Satellite Center
      Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute
      University KAIST Department of Aerospace Engineering
      Chungnam National University Department of Astro and Space Science
    • Yeongnam 85(18.9%)
      Major Aerospace Companies and Infrastructure by Region(Yeongnam) Field, Category, Major Institutions
      Space equipment manufacturing Company Hanwha Aerospace
      Korea Aerospace Industries
      Research institute Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology
      Satellite utilization Company Digen
      University UNIST Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering Environmental science and engineering major
    • Honam 14(3.1%)
      Major Aerospace Companies and Infrastructure by Region(Honam) Field, Category, Major Institutions
      Field Category Major Institutions
      Space equipment manufacturing Company Dacc
      CAMTIC Advanced Mechatronics Technology Institute
      Space utilization Research institute Rural Development Administration National Institute of Agricultural Sciences
      University Jeonbuk National University Department of Aerospace Engineering
    • Jeju 2(0.6%)
      Major Aerospace Companies and Infrastructure by Region(Jeju) Field, Category, Major Institutions
      Field Category Major Institutions
      Satellite utilization Company Ara Safe
      Space utilization Research institute National Radio Research Agency Korean Space Weather Center
    Large view of images
    ※ Source: Space industry survey (2020)
    ※ Data also provided by: Korea Aerospace Research Institute
Invest KOREA
Aerospace PM
Kim Juk Hyun Key Industries Promotion Team
T.+82-2-3460-7888 E.jhkim20@kotra.or.kr
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