UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | GOYANG — Korea Aerospace University and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport jointly hosted the "Global Aviation Policy Fellowship Policy Roundtable" on August 6, bringing together 39 aviation policy officials and experts from developing countries across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe to share South Korea's aviation development experience and explore cooperative frameworks for the international aviation sector.

The event was held at the university's campus lecture building and drew participants from two concurrent programmes: 15 director and division head-level officials attending the Ministry's Mid-level Aviation Policy Course, and 24 trainees from the second cohort of Korea Aerospace University's Global Aviation Policy Fellowship.

Sharing Korea's Aviation Experience

Director General Yoo Kyung-soo for Aviation Safety Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport opened the substantive discussions by introducing South Korea's major aviation policies, the trajectory of its aviation industry development, and the government's future policy directions. Participants from the Mid-level Aviation Policy Course followed with country-specific presentations on the current state of their national aviation industries, outstanding policy challenges, and measures being pursued to improve aviation safety and infrastructure.

Global Aviation Policy Fellowship trainees contributed presentations and discussions on key issues in international aviation policy and strategies for inter-country cooperation. The session provided a forum for practitioners from diverse regulatory environments to exchange implementation experiences and explore joint policy solutions suited to the rapidly evolving international aviation landscape.

Participants reached a broad consensus that information-sharing and institutional cooeration between nations are indispensable for advancing aviation safety, optimising airport operations, strengthening industry competitiveness, cultivating professional talent, and achieving sustainable aviation development.

Dean Kim Jin-ki of the Graduate School of Aviation Management at Korea Aerospace University, Head Professor Song Woon-kyung of the Department of Business Administration, and other senior officials joined the gathering, collectively affirming the importance of sustained international aviation policy cooperation.

Building a Pipeline of Global Aviation Leaders

The Global Aviation Policy Fellowship, which provided a significant portion of the roundtable's participants, is an international education programme designed to develop professional talent capable of leading aviation industry development in emerging economies. The programme targets aviation experts from countries designated as Official Development Assistance recipients by the OECD Development Assistance Committee among ICAO member states, offering specialised training in aviation and airport industries alongside master's degree programmes tailored to the needs of developing nations.

The currently running second cohort comprises 24 officials and experts — 19 from Africa, three from Southwest Asia, one from Latin America, and one from the Middle East. Upon completing specialised training in aviation policy and management, airport operations, aviation safety, and international aviation norms, participants will return to their home countries to take on leadership roles in aviation industry development and policy formulation.

Responding to a Rapidly Changing Industry

The global aviation industry is navigating a complex convergence of challenges: heightened safety and security demands, the transition to environmentally sustainable operations, the digitalisation of airport systems, and the anticipated integration of future air mobility. Korea Aerospace University's leadership described these developments as underscoring the need for close coordination among international organisations, governments, academic institutions, and industry — beyond what any individual nation can accomplish alone.

The university indicated its intention to continue systematically developing aviation sector talent in developing countries and to expand opportunities for international policy exchange, leveraging its aerospace education and research capabilities in partnership with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other domestic and international aviation organisations.

The August roundtable is assessed as a practical illustration of international cooperation that simultaneously advances South Korea's global aviation policy influence and supports the sustainable development of aviation industries in partner nations. The ongoing collaboration between Korea Aerospace University and the Ministry is expected to serve as a foundational platform for building a global aviation policy network and promoting South Korea's accumulated expertise to the international community.