Naro Space Center, Korea’s first space center, was dedicated in Goheung-gun, South Jeolla Province on June 11.
President Lee Myung-bak said in a congratulatory speech, “Naro Space Center is a place that symbolizes our future and challenge and carries our dreams and future as well.” Commenting on the worldwide economic difficulties, he said, “No matter how difficult the present is, we can’t give up the future.”
Space development is the crystallization of a country’s economic power, scientific and technological capabilities, and national vision. State-of-the-art science and technologies, such as space technology, will be sources of national competitiveness and new growth engines, he said.
He congratulated the scientists and engineers who had taken part in the construction of the space center and development of Naro, or KSLV-I, Korea’s first space launch vehicle. He also expressed the hope that Goheung-gun and South Jeolla Province will turn into a space city and a tourist destination.
KSLV-I will be launched from Naro Space Center in late July. To make it possible, about 130 scientists and researchers have been conducting various tests and making preparations.
