On July 6 at 2:00 p.m., Korea Aerospace University (KAU) and Goyang Special City jointly held the Vision Declaration Ceremony for an Aerospace Industry-Academia Innovation Hub at Vision Hall in the Aerospace Center.

Hosted by Goyang Special City and organized by KAU, the event officially announced the shared vision of establishing an Aerospace Industry-Academia Innovation Center in the Baekseok Business District and developing Goyang into a leading cluster for the aerospace, aviation maintenance (MRO), and space industries in the Seoul metropolitan area.

The ceremony was attended by Goyang Mayor Min Kyung-sun, KAU President Heo Hee-young, National Assembly Member Han Jun-ho, Goyang Industry Promotion Agency President Han Dong-gyun, Kookmin University President Jeong Seung-ryeol, Dongguk University Bio-Medi Campus Vice President Seong Jeong-seok, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology President Park Seon-gyu, Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology President Hwang Ho-won, Acting Chairman of the Korea Aerospace Industries Association Park Jong-heum, Goyang Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Lee Sang-heon, Goyang Federation of Business Leaders Chair Shin Young-i, Korea Aerospace Industries Association Strategic Planning Director Lee Sang-seop, Gyeonggi Business & Science Accelerator Director Kim Gil-a, Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy & Innovation Director Kim Dae-soo, Goyang Newspaper CEO Kwon Gu-young, INNOSPACE CEO Kim Soo-jong, Pablo Air Chairman Kim Young-jun, and many other representatives from government, industry, academia, and research institutions.

The ceremony included a welcome address by Mayor Min Kyung-sun, congratulatory remarks from Representative Han Jun-ho and President Heo Hee-young, a presentation of the vision by Oh Hyun-woong, Director of KAU's Office of Industry-Academic Cooperation, and a joint vision declaration ceremony with distinguished guests.

In his welcome speech, Mayor Min said, "Standing here today is even more exciting than my inauguration." He noted that the vision declaration was made possible through the combined efforts of President Heo, Representative Han, and many other partners. Referring to the Baekseok Business District, which had experienced years of challenges, he expressed confidence that it would become "a dynamic place for a new leap forward." He also pledged strong administrative support, saying, "This declaration represents our shared commitment, and as mayor, I will take the lead."

Representative Han Jun-ho recalled that he had once dreamed of becoming a pilot and prepared to enter KAU as a student. He said he was "very proud to represent a district that is home to Korea Aerospace University." Recently appointed as the ranking member of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, Han also recalled supporting KAU's designation as a Software-Centered University six years ago. He pledged to work with Goyang Special City and KAU to turn today's vision into reality as the government continues to prioritize the aerospace industry as a strategic high-tech sector.

President Heo Hee-young noted that KAU, founded in Busan in 1952 and relocated to Goyang in 1963, has been growing alongside the local community for 63 years. He emphasized that the university would dedicate all of its capabilities to industry-academia collaboration in support of Goyang and Gyeonggi Province's vision of becoming a hub for aerospace and defense industries. He added that the establishment of the Aerospace Industry-Academia Innovation Center in Baekseok would provide an opportunity for Goyang and northern Gyeonggi to emerge as a new center of Korea's aerospace industry while creating a successful model of regional-university cooperation.

Oh Hyun-woong, who also serves as a member of the Presidential National Space Committee, presented the vision titled "The Future Vision for Aerospace Industry Development Centered on Goyang Special City." He explained that the global space industry is rapidly expanding into areas such as space data centers, lunar base construction, space manufacturing, biotechnology, and energy, while drones and satellites are becoming critical strategic infrastructure for future security.

He noted that, in addition to Korea's three major space industry clusters in Daejeon, Sacheon, and Goheung, Jeju is emerging as a hub for satellite manufacturing and ground stations. Against this backdrop, he stressed the need to establish a strong aerospace ecosystem in the Seoul metropolitan area and position Goyang as a strategic center. Building on existing research infrastructure, the vision proposes creating an aerospace, space, and MRO cluster in northern Gyeonggi Province. Oh highlighted Goyang's advantages, including its metropolitan location, transportation links to Gimpo and Incheon International Airports, and KAU's strength as Korea's leading aerospace university. He expressed his hope that Goyang would become "a gateway to the sky economy and the space economy."

At the heart of this vision is the Aerospace Industry-Academia Innovation Center to be established in the Baekseok Business District. The center will integrate KAU's research and educational capabilities with Goyang's industrial infrastructure and Gyeonggi Province's key development projects. It aims to foster an aerospace ecosystem that extends from aviation, drones, and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to satellites, launch vehicles, and space infrastructure, creating new growth opportunities for the city.

The center plans to attract aerospace, space, and MRO companies, establish national testing and certification facilities, and nurture aerospace startups. It will also connect major regional assets—including the KINTEX UAM Vertiport, the Goyang Drone Anchor Center, and the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology—to form an integrated aerospace industry cluster. This initiative aligns closely with Goyang's policy of attracting advanced industries to create new growth engines and quality jobs.

During the vision declaration ceremony, Mayor Min Kyung-sun, President Heo Hee-young, Representative Han Jun-ho, and other distinguished guests pressed a ceremonial button together. The words "Aerospace," "Advanced Technology," "Innovation," "Jobs," and "Future" appeared on the screen, symbolizing Goyang's new vision. Participants then joined together in chanting, "Goyang Special City, soar as a leading aerospace industry-academia innovation hub!" The event concluded with a commemorative group photo.