South Korea, though a relatively recent entrant in the space race, is now shooting for the stars, bolstered by its own initiative and backing from the U.S.

President Yoon Suk-yeol has prioritized space development during the past year, and according to Jennifer Hong, senior director of the Project 2049 Institute, his “grand ambitions” have elevated South Korea’s participation in this increasingly pivotal sector.

“Space is … an untapped frontier that is going to be on everyone’s mind,” she told Korea Pro.

Yet in spite of Yoon’s ambitious goals, South Korea’s space program grapples with challenges such as technological limitations