The ministries of science, environment and oceans and the weather agency signed an agreement to jointly develop two geostationary satellites and utilize information and related space technologies.

Through the 669.7 billion won ($578.4 million) project, the government plans to launch a satellite in 2017 to monitor weather conditions and natural disasters and another to observe oceanic pollution and resources and climate change the following year.

The agreement was signed by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Meteorological Administration.

The agencies said they would individually start working on building control systems while jointly developing the payloads with foreign firms.

(monicasuk@heraldcorp.com)