Kim Dong-yeon: "I Will Create Innovative Projects That Challenge the Impossible"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon pledged to "create innovative projects one by one that challenge the impossible."

Governor Kim shared news on the 22nd via SNS of visiting Korea Aerospace University's "Space Systems Technology Research Institute," and made the remarks.

Governor Kim stated, "The term 'Moonshot,' which originally meant lunar probe launch missions, has now become a common noun referring to 'innovative projects that challenge the impossible.'" He added, "What could be Gyeonggi Province's—and further, the Republic of Korea's—'moonshot'? It is difficult to name just one, from addressing low birth rates and climate change to political reform and democracy."

He continued, "However, through creativity and innovation, solidarity and cooperation, I will create Gyeonggi Province's moonshot projects one by one."

The following is the full text of Governor Kim Dong-yeon's SNS post.

<Creating Gyeonggi Province's 'Moonshot'>

I vividly remember the thrill of watching the live broadcast of the Apollo 11 moon landing on a black-and-white TV at a friend's house in July 1969, when I was a first-year middle school student.

President John F. Kennedy, upon taking office in 1961, unveiled his plan to build a lunar probe to go directly to the moon, rather than building a better telescope to see it. In response to criticism that it was unrealistic, he said:

"We choose to go to the moon, not because it is easy, but because it is hard."

The term 'Moonshot,' which originally referred to lunar probe launches, has now become a common noun designating 'innovative projects that challenge the impossible.'

I attended the opening ceremony of Korea Aerospace University's "Space Systems Technology Research Institute," located in Goyang. It was a major event attended by over 100 people from industry, academia, and research. I also met with Goyang Mayor Lee Dong-hwan and former Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Hong Nam-ki, a professor emeritus at Korea Aerospace University.

Director Oh Hyun-ung of the research institute is a unique international scholar in the field of ultra-miniature satellite development, tablet-sized, to be mounted on the Nuri rocket.

I proposed on the spot the "establishment of an aerospace industry cluster in northern Gyeonggi through industry-academia-research collaboration." Korea Aerospace University, the research institute, and Gyeonggi Province joining hands can create momentum for the development of northern Gyeonggi.

What could be Gyeonggi Province's—and further, the Republic of Korea's—'moonshot'? It is difficult to name just one, from addressing low birth rates and climate change to political reform and democracy.

However, I will create Gyeonggi Province's moonshot projects one by one through creativity and innovation, solidarity and cooperation.