As satellite communications are gaining attention as a core infrastructure for next-generation networks, experts have come to a consensus that a national strategy to build independent low-orbit satellite infrastructure is urgently needed for Korea to lead the satellite communications industry.

On the 25th, at the National Assembly auditorium, a forum was held with Rep. Park Wan-joo and Rep. Jeong Pil-mo on the topic, “The Age of Satellite Communications Has Begun, What Should We Prepare for?” to share the current status of the system for launching satellite services for medium and low-orbit communications and discuss future tasks.


On the 18th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced a strategy to vitalize satellite communications by forming the 'K-LEO Communication Alliance' to examine the feasibility of securing an independent low-orbit satellite communications network. This discussion was the first held since the government announcement, and was attended by industry, academia, and research institutes including SKT, KT SAT, Hanwha Systems, ETRI, and Ajou University.

In his welcoming speech, Rep. Park Wan-joo said, “The era of low-orbit satellites, initiated by major foreign companies, has already begun,” and asked, “Although the R&D budget has been reduced, if we do not invest now, we will fall behind by 10 years, so please join us in our efforts.”

Low-orbit satellites are satellites that operate at altitudes of 300 to 1,500 km. They can supplement terrestrial networks in areas such as islands and mountainous regions where ground networks are difficult to build, and have emerged as key infrastructure for the 6G era. In particular, unlike the existing geostationary orbit, low-orbit satellite communications have the advantage of transmission speeds and delay times that are comparable to LTE. Major countries around the world are already building their own satellite networks, and the market is growing rapidly under the leadership of global companies such as SpaceX, OneWeb, and Amazon.

SpaceX’s Starlink is currently in service in 45 countries around the world, and aims for global service in 2024. It recently announced a turnaround by lowering costs by resolving expensive antenna prices. OneWeb, in which Hanwha Systems holds a 7% stake, is also aiming to launch services by building a global gateway in the second half of 2023. Amazon's subsidiary Kuiper Systems is also expected to invest over 12 trillion won, and commercialization is expected after 2025.

According to Kim Yeon-jin, head of the Radio and Broadcasting Management Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, the global satellite communications market is expected to grow to $216.1 billion by 2030, with low-orbit satellite communications accounting for 67% of that market.

However, our country has been continuously excluded from projects subject to preliminary feasibility studies by the Ministry of Science and ICT, and investment in satellite communications has been low.

Director Kim Yeon-jin said, “If we use other countries’ satellites, there are concerns in terms of communications sovereignty and security,” and insisted, “As a mobile communications powerhouse, our country must also expedite the development of its own technology.”


Kang Chung-gu, executive director of the Satellite Communication Forum, said that Korea also has opportunities in his presentation on low-orbit satellite communications industry trends. The current technology of global companies is not standard technology, and our country is also putting in efforts to standardize it, and securing future technology is important.

Chairman Kang said, “Our country must achieve a global initiative by going beyond the K-LEO Alliance and building a Korean-led independent satellite network for both civilian and military use,” and asserted that “K-culture, or the position of Korean culture, will serve as a powerful infrastructure for the satellite communications industry in the future.”

In addition, he argued that, “since the satellite communications business requires capital, technology, and a customer base, the country should establish a strategy as if it were one company (corporate-K) and industry, academia, and research institutes should join forces.”

The discussion that followed was attended by KT SAT, Hanwha Systems, SKT, ETRI, and Ajou University.

KT SAT’s Chief Technology Officer Chae Jong-dae emphasized the connection of satellite communication services. “Satellite communication business requires not only technology development but also policies in the service sector,” he said, and with a budget of 500 trillion won expected, he also called for national protection and fostering measures for domestic LEO operators.

KT SAT is developing its satellite network into a 'multi-orbit hybrid' like its terrestrial network and is also investing in medium-orbit systems considering the efficiency of the investment.

Meanwhile, Song Seong-chan, executive director of Hanwha Systems Space Research Institute, insisted on harmonious operation with global operators. Hanwha Systems is planning to enter the 24-hour low-orbit satellite communication network service after securing an end-to-end satellite solution and completing registration as a period telecommunications operator based on OneWeb in July.

Director Song said, “In order to operate independently 24 hours a day, we need to temporarily utilize the technology of existing global operators to verify overseas performance satellites.” Regarding concerns about dependence on foreign products, he added, “Unlike Starlink, OneWeb is a B2B, B2G service, so cooperation will be smooth and it will be possible to escape dependence.”


SKT New Connectivity Team Leader Kim Dong-wook expressed confidence in securing leadership in low-orbit satellite communications with mobile communications capabilities from the perspective of a mobile communications operator. Team Leader Kim said, “At this point in time, when the cost has dropped due to the technology that allows satellite reuse up to 17 times, the development of satellite communications technology is being urged,” and “We are moving toward providing services by combining existing mobile communications with satellite communications.” In other words, rather than replacing existing mobile communications, the position is to provide services in a complementary form so that there are no shadow areas.

SKT also needs to actively cooperate with global operators and, based on this, proactively discover technologies and services that are suitable for Korea. In addition, it was argued that since the frequency system is being established in the US and other countries for direct smartphone communication, Korea also needs to urgently prepare for the launch of the service.

ETRI's Lee Moon-sik, head of the Satellite Communications Research Center, advocated for the promotion of 6G low-orbit satellite communications based on civil-military dual-use. The Korean Peninsula needs 200 satellites to provide 24-hour service, and the government is taking the lead in meeting common civilian and military requirements.

Professor Kim Jae-hyun of the Department of Electronic Engineering at Ajou University called for the development of space talent and mentioned the formation of a special satellite committee under the president. He added, “The government should lead the creation of a satellite industry ecosystem, increase the number of space communication departments, and provide programs that allow students to connect with the field.”

Kim Yeon-jin, a director at the Ministry of Science and ICT, added, “We are reviewing policies that establish conditions for shared frequency operation and impose compliance obligations on operators, and the government will manage to ensure that there is no monopoly on any frequency,” adding, “We will establish standards for facility construction ahead of the expansion of gateway demand.”