South Korea lawmaker proposes Space Diplomacy Act

South Korean lawmaker Kim Gun has introduced the ‘Space Diplomacy Act’ to strengthen the nation’s capacity to participate in the formation of international space norms. The bill aims to institutionalize a national strategy as space becomes a critical arena for national security, economic interests, and international leadership.

Under the proposed legislation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs would be required to establish and implement a ‘Space Diplomacy Basic Plan’ every five years. This plan would outline fundamental principles, implementation strategies, and methods for participating in international organizations and space regulations. Additionally, the bill proposes the creation of a ‘Space Diplomacy Committee’ under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliberate and coordinate major policies.

The act also seeks to establish a legal basis for training specialized personnel in space law, security, and international norms. To ensure legislative oversight, the Minister of Foreign Affairs would be mandated to submit annual reports on space security and international regulatory trends to the relevant National Assembly committees.