South Korea President Lee Jae-myung Celebrates Successful 5th Nuri Rocket Launch

President Lee Jae-myung watched the fifth launch of South Korea’s Nuri rocket live from his office at the Blue House on the 7th, according to a briefing by Blue House Spokesperson Kim Sung-wan.

Following the successful launch, President Lee stated that South Korea has come one step closer to space sovereignty by pioneering space with its own strength.

President Lee Watches Nuri Rocket Launch from Blue House

President Lee observed the launch sequence from the initial liftoff for approximately 20 minutes until the final satellite separation was completed. Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-shik, Policy Chief Ha Joon-kyung, and AI Future Planning Senior Secretary Lee Hae-min joined the real-time viewing session in the office. Before the launch, President Lee asked Secretary Lee detailed questions about the preparation procedures, operational stages, and the types and functions of the payloads.

He later shared his assessment on X, noting that the fifth Nuri mission successfully carried out its objectives while the nation watched anxiously alongside citizens.

Cluster Satellites Enhance National Security and Commercial Space Goals

The President emphasized the operational value of the payloads placed into orbit. President Lee stated on X that cluster satellites, settled at regular intervals on the same orbit, will observe the country much more frequently and serve as reliable guardians in space contributing to national security and disaster response. He also noted that private-sector participation in the flight adds momentum toward a commercialized New Space era.

Spokesperson Kim outlined the administration’s broader push to expand launch opportunities for domestic enterprises that are global latecomers in the aerospace sector. To support commercial space transport market entry, the current administration increased total project funding by 328 billion won to secure five additional launch operations through 2032. While the previous administration completed two launches over a 36-month period, the current administration achieved that same count in 17 months, driven by an official directive to maintain an annual launch frequency.

President Lee Pledges Regular Launch Cadences for Space Market

President Lee expressed gratitude to the researchers and industrial partners who spent sleepless nights working toward the milestone. The administration plans to maintain regular launch cadences to ensure domestic satellites fly aboard domestic launch vehicles on schedule.

Our challenge to continue moving vigorously toward the global space market will continue.

President Lee Jae-myung