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The Naro Space Center, under construction on one of Korea’s southern islands, will make South Korea the 13th nation in the world to have such a center.

On June 1, construction of the space center was nearly completed on Oenaro Island, the southernmost island belonging to Dadohae National Marine Park, Goheung, South Jeolla Province.

Choi Yeong-sik, who has been operating a cruise ship named "Uju Star" (space star) since 2001 when the nation decided to build a space center on the island, said, "Oinaro Island is famous for its sunrises. If construction of the space center is finished, it will be a worldwide tourist attraction."

As of the end of May, 98.1 percent of the construction process was completed. Most important facilities - except for the launchpad - will soon be totally finished.

Kim Min-hyeon, an official of the center, said, "By year-end, we will have finished our inspection of each facility. In consideration of the scheduled satellite launch, we will decide when to open the space center."

The project is expected to cost more than 320 billion won ($US345 million).

Min Gyeong-ju, director of the space center, said, "When the center opens, the nation will be the 13th nation to have one. Besides, if Korea completes its planned satellite launch here at Naro Space Center around October next year, it will be the ninth country to join the so-called "space club," a group of countries which have succeeded in launching satellites by themselves. Russia, the U.S., France, Japan, China, England, India, and Israel currently make up this group. South Korea has so far used space centers in foreign countries to launch its 11 satellites.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) planned to launch the first satellite this fall, but the plan was delayed due to negotiations lasting longer than expected on the Korea-Russia Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA), which aims to prevent the technology that Russia transfers to Korea from leaking to a third party. Both countries finally signed a deal in October last year.

Lee Cheol-hyeong, an official of the center, said, "We received a detailed design of a launchpad from Russia in April. Even if the design is not ours, we will construct a launchpad using our technology."

The KARI is going to build the second launchpad itself, using technology accumulated through the construction of the first launching facility. The nation will then launch a scientific technology satellite in fall of 2008 using KSLV-1 projectile manufactured in Russia, but the projectile is slated to be Korean-made by 2015.

The space center will also have a 3,000-pyeong (9,900-square-meter) hall where children can learn the scientific principles behind satellites and rockets.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]