S. Korea Launches an Agricultural Satellite in 2026 to Respond to Food Security and Natural Disasters

Sejong, 12 May 2025 — On 12 May, H.E. Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, visited a site for development of an agricultural satellite in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon-si (the city of Sacheon), Gyeongsangnam-do (a province located in the southeastern tip of South Korea). The site was also visited by government officials from the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), the Rural Development Administration (RDA), and the Korea Forest Service (KFS), as well as officials from organizations for development of an agricultural satellite such as KAI and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.

It has been shared with Minister Song Miryung that the development of an agricultural satellite, which will be launched into the orbit in 2026, is well under way as planned. Minister Song has also discussed the ways of using the agricultural satellite with those working on the R&D. The uses of the agricultural satellite would include agricultural monitoring as a way to respond to food security and natural disasters and control food supplies. The satellite is also expected to improve public services by providing people with satellite images on farmland and forest areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said that it will continue to cooperate with related ministries and closely communicate with those working on development of the agricultural satellite to ensure the success of the agricultural satellite development.