Proceedings of the Workshop - United Nations Office for Outer ...

_____________________________________________________________Yeon-seok ChaePresidentKorea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)Distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen,It is a great privilege and pleasure to welcome you to the United Nations/Republic ofKorea Workshop on Space Law. May I take this opportunity to thank the Office for Outer SpaceAffairs in the United Nations, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry ofForeign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea for organizing this Workshop. I would like toparticularly welcome Dr. Kim Cha Dong, Director General of the Research and DevelopmentBureau in the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Dr. Shin Kak Soo, Director General forTreaties Bureau in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea. I ampleased that the Korea Aerospace Research Institute is able to provide the venue.Exploitation of Outer SpaceWe are all interested in exploiting space. It is our final frontier. We have many goodreasons and, inter alia, a philosophical imperative in our trials and aspirations to expand our arenainto space. At the same time, we share a common understanding on the need of legal regimeapplicable to the use of outer space, which would ensure that exploited and not-yet exploitedbenefits do not turn into adversity.To construct an effective legal regime, we need an effective forum where the differencesin views and interests of sovereign states can be resolved. I hope that this workshop willcontribute to that end.Korean DimensionThe Korea Aerospace Research Institute was created in 1989 with the mission to conductthe National Space Programme. In 2002, the National Space Program brought a number ofactivities to fruition and laid the groundwork for initiatives for coming years. The successfullaunch of a liquid-fuelled rocket KSR-III marked a major advancement in domestic satellitelaunch capability. As a sequel to this success, a new project for KSLV-I was initiated: a spacelaunch vehicle for hoisting small satellites of 100kg in low-earth orbit. KOMPSAT-1, the first ofa series of Korean Multipurpose Satellite, was launched successfully in 1999, and has beenperforming its mission beyond its designed life span. KOMPSAT-2 project continues to progress.In addition, Communication, Ocean Monitoring & Meteorological Satellite Programme (COMS)has begun this year.As a space faring country and a responsible member of the international community,Korea fully adheres to the causes of the United Nations Treaties on outer space.