As Korea is a nascent power in the global space industry , local companies are eager to work with international players to strengthen their capabilities .
A role to play for U . S . companies
Korea , as a close ally of the United States , tends to follow American regulations and technological trends — especially in the aerospace field — which leads to many areas for cooperation between the two countries across the entire technology spectrum : from aircraft platforms to passenger safety systems , avionics and vertiport infrastructure .
Likewise , in context of the drone industry , military grade devices that can be commercially utilized are in demand .
Some functionalities that the Korean market is keen to develop include performing counter-UAS operations and other surveillance such as urban , industrial and forestry monitoring .
The space industry also presents opportunities for companies with satellite navigation and communication technologies , as well as space data analysis and software .
Challenges
While Korea is an interesting destination , the market is not free of challenges . U . S . businesses should expect to face language and cultural barriers as they enter the market . Both government entities and Korean system integrators prefer to work with people on the ground who speak their language and understand the “ Korean way ” of doing business — including being able to call your supplier in the middle of the night expecting impeccable and timely support .
50 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS