SpaceX pushes back Starlink's S.Korea launch to Q4

Starlink, low-orbit satellite internet constellation operated by the US aerospace company SpaceX, has delayed the launch of its South Korean service from second quarter to fourth quarter of 2023. 

The Starlink service was scheduled to kick off in the second quarter of this year, according to Starlink Korea's website. However, it was subsequently delayed.

Industry sources attribute this postponement to time-consuming administrative procedures. SpaceX set up Starlink Korea in March, and the subsidiary achieved status as a registered telecommunications service provider with the South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT in May. 

The Ministry explained that Starlink Korea's registration was completed on May 12, 2023, after applying on January 5, 2023, with the intent to provide satellite Internet services and satellite Internet of Things (IoT) services. The review process evaluated the company's financial and technical capabilities, along with user protection plans as per Article 6 of the Telecommunications Business Act.

Park Yoon-gyu, Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, spoke to the press last month, stating the need to ensure no interference problems with other frequencies that Starlink aims to provide. "The process of cross-border supply will be underway (The official launch) seems to have to pass the first half of the year," he said.

Write to Jin-Won Kim at jin1@hankyung.com