Hanwha Aerospace opens South Korea's largest private rocket factory in Suncheon

Hanwha Aerospace formally opened a new space manufacturing complex in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, on Tuesday. Tech Times, BigGo Finance, FlightGlobal, and Seoul Economic Daily all reported that the site is the largest private rocket plant in South Korea. Tech Times reported that the opening ceremony gathered about 200 representatives from the national government, local government, the National Assembly, and the aerospace sector at the Yulchon Industrial Complex. [1][3][4][5]

The new facility spans 59,504 square meters, according to Tech Times. Tech Times reported that the plant will build and assemble all primary components for the uncrewed Nuri launch vehicle starting in 2027. It will also produce methane-fueled engines for the KSLV-III rocket, which is the successor to Nuri. [1]

The opening marks a shift in national space policy as South Korea transfers orbital launch operations to a private corporation. BigGo Finance reported that Hanwha Aerospace aims to enter the global commercial launch market with its own rocket by 2029. [1][3]

As FTMQ Space reported earlier, South Korea has been expanding its orbital launch efforts alongside other Asian space programs. South Korea has a highly developed mixed economy and possesses the fourth largest economy in Asia. [6][9][10]