The Korea Aerospace Administration(KASA), the country's space agency officially launched on Monday.

The so-called Korean version of NASA, which is set to integrate domestic space-related policies and projects officially opened with around 100 employees, including the inaugural director of KASA, Yoon Young-bin
beginning their duties at the temporary office building in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.

The first personnel appointments were also made on the day, including John Lee, a former senior executive at NASA, appointed as the deputy administrator in charge of space missions and policies.

KASA is a central administrative agency under the Ministry of Science and ICT and will be responsible for aerospace-related policies, research and development, industry development, civil-military cooperation, international cooperation, infrastructure, as well as preparations for space-related risks.

The agency plans to announce its policy direction and future mission projects shortly.