Key points

On October 21, 2026, South Korea's space agency participated in the 56th regular board meeting of the International Charter held in Tokyo and joined as a governing member. From 2027, it will take part in policy decisions as a board member, while the Korea Aerospace Research Institute will continue handling operational tasks such as providing satellite imagery and damage analysis. The International Charter is an international cooperation mechanism that provides satellite images from member agencies to disaster-affected countries during major disasters like earthquakes and typhoons, supporting damage assessment. South Korea has been a member since 2011, and this new governing membership will further strengthen its international disaster response capabilities. [1] [2] [3]

South Korea's Space Agency Joins International Charter as Governing Member

On October 21, 2026, South Korea's space agency attended the 56th regular board meeting of the 'International Charter on Space and Major Disasters' held at Ochanomizu Sola City in Tokyo and joined as a governing member. This membership enables South Korea to participate in policy decisions as a board member starting in 2027. Operational tasks such as providing satellite imagery and damage analysis will continue to be handled by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. Following this membership, Oh Tae-seok, head of South Korea's space agency, stated that the country will strengthen its national responsibility and leadership in international disaster relief activities and contribute to overcoming global disasters through accurate and prompt sharing of satellite information. [1] [2] [3]

This governing membership signifies South Korea's enhanced role as the control tower for national aerospace policy and industry, elevating its diplomatic and policy status in international disaster response. Consequently, South Korea will be directly involved in decision-making within the International Charter and play a more proactive role. The agency plans to continue collaborating with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute to strengthen global disaster response capabilities. [1]

Overview of the International Charter and Its Member Agencies

Known as the 'International Charter on Space and Major Disasters,' this organization is an international cooperation mechanism that utilizes satellites owned by member agencies to capture images of disaster-affected areas during large-scale disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and heavy snowfall. These images are provided to affected countries to support damage assessment. The Charter comprises 17 member agencies, including the European Space Agency (ESA) and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), playing a vital role in global disaster response. [1]

The Charter aims to rapidly assess disaster situations by leveraging satellites owned by member agencies, facilitating damage analysis and support for relief activities. Its 17 member agencies, including ESA and NOAA, respond to large-scale disasters worldwide, such as earthquakes, typhoons, and heavy snowfall. This framework enhances coordination and efficiency in international disaster response. [2]

South Korea's Past Involvement and Future Prospects

Since the Korea Aerospace Research Institute joined the International Charter in 2011, South Korea has contributed to international disaster response by providing satellite images captured by national satellites to affected countries during overseas disasters. Additionally, when disasters occur domestically, South Korea utilizes satellite imagery support from overseas through the Charter to enable prompt disaster response. With the new governing membership, South Korea's space agency is expected to participate in policy discussions as a board member from 2027 and further strengthen international disaster response capabilities in collaboration with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. [1] [2] [3]

As the central agency for national aerospace policy, South Korea's space agency will enhance its responsibility and leadership in international disaster relief activities by serving as a governing member of the International Charter. The agency aims to contribute to overcoming global disasters through accurate and timely sharing of satellite information. It plans to continue strengthening international disaster response coordination in partnership with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. [1]