South Gyeongsang Province will host a series of events linking policy, industry, and culture across the region ahead of the national commemorative day "Aerospace Day" on May 27.
The province announced Wednesday that it will run an aerospace week from the 23rd to the 29th. Aerospace Day is a national commemorative day designated by the government to mark the May 27, 2024 opening of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) in Sacheon, and this year marks its second observance.
During the period, the province will pursue various programs reflecting the dawn of the space economy era and its commitment to fostering the aerospace industry. To boost the pride of aerospace industry workers, the province has newly established the "Aerospace Industry Development Merit Awards" for the first time this year. On the 27th, 10 civilians who have contributed to strengthening the competitiveness of the aerospace industry and revitalizing the regional economy will be selected to receive Governor's Awards.
On the same day, the province will hold the "Aerospace Startup Bus Investment Pitch Session (IR)" online, with participation from the Gyeongnam Center for Creative Economy and Innovation and promising regional companies including Camp, Ilchem, and GTL. These companies will be connected with operators of KASA's "New Space Fund" to lay the groundwork for becoming next-generation flagship aerospace firms.
Cultural events allowing residents to participate and experience the industry firsthand will also be held around the KASA headquarters in Sacheon, in conjunction with the Aerospace Day ceremony at the agency. Experience booths will be set up, including a promotional pavilion for the 2026 Sacheon Air Show and Aerospace Defense Industry Exhibition, along with participation from the Gyeongnam Science Culture Hub Center of Gyeongnam Technopark, Changwon National University, and Inje University.
Academic and educational programs aimed at nurturing future talent will also be held. A representative example is the "7th International Conference on Aerospace Core Technology (ICACT 2026)" to be held at Gyeongsang National University over two days on the 28th and 29th. The event will bring together domestic and international stakeholders from industry, academia, research, and government to share the latest technology trends in aerospace systems, advanced materials, space exploration, and satellite systems, and to discuss measures to strengthen global cooperation networks.
Sacheon City will also operate linked events in cooperation with KASA, including aerospace expert school visits and talk concerts, aerospace book exhibitions, and youth field trip programs to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
"We expect the second Aerospace Day to serve as an important turning point for Korea's leap into the space economy era," said Lee Mi-hwa, director of the Industry Bureau at South Gyeongsang Province. "The province will work closely with KASA to do its utmost to create an aerospace industry ecosystem where companies, talent, and technology grow together."
