Bold pursuit of a world-leading K-radar
Chang Dong-eon
Every year on May 19, South Korea celebrates Invention Day. This day was established to commemorate the proclamation of the cheugugi ― the world's first standardized rain guage ― invented in 1441 during the 23rd year of King Sejong's reign. Korea boasts many historical inventions such as Hunminjeongeum (now known as Hangeul, the Korean alphabet) and the geojunggi (an early construction crane), which highlight the nation’s innovative legacy.
The cheugugi is symbolic of the scientific prowess of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Standardized around 200 years before its Western counterparts, this rain gauge is an important part of Korea's pioneering legacy of meteorological observation in the mid-15th century.
Today, weather observation technology remains a barometer of a nation’s scientific and technological capabilities. If the rain gauge of the Joseon Dynasty marked the beginning of consistent precipitation measurement, weather radar now sits at the heart of modern meteorological observation. This cutting-edge technology emits electromagnetic waves into the atmosphere and analyzes the signals reflected back from precipitation particles, such as raindrops or snowflakes, enabling detection of the location, intensity and movement of precipitation in three dimensions. Much like a CT scan, it provides vertical scanning and spatial information, playing a crucial role in accurate weather forecasting.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has operated weather radar systems since 1969. In 2014, it began a phased upgrade of its existing single-polarization radars to more advanced dual-polarization radars to improve observation accuracy. Unlike earlier systems, the newer radars are much more sophisticated ― they can scan both horizontally and vertically at the same time, allowing them to distinguish between different precipitation types, such as rain, snow and hail. Today, 10 radar observation stations across the country provide real-time weather data, and a dedicated test observation station in Yongin supports research and development, including technology verification and performance improvement.
However, Korea still relies entirely on imported weather radar systems, with key components mostly manufactured abroad. When a major part breaks down, it must be sent overseas for repair ― a costly and time-consuming process that typically takes almost 300 days.
To address this issue, the KMA launched a full-scale R&D project in 2015 to develop domestic radar core components. After successfully producing two components, research expanded to localize 15 core parts to date. This effort has cut costs by more than 70 percent and drastically reduced replacement times to under 30 days. This year, the focus is on localizing the stable local oscillator (STALO), one of the key components in radar systems.
Beyond localization efforts, the KMA is also strengthening its technical cooperation with relevant agencies, such as the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Environment, to bolster the overall competitiveness of Korea's radar industry ecosystem. A major focus is on developing signal processing technology optimized for Korea's unique terrain and observation conditions. The Yongin test observation station serves as a platform for developing independent algorithms. Since the signal processor is a core component that determines radar performance, securing this technology would position South Korea as a true global leader in radar systems.
Over the past decade, efforts to produce weather radar components locally and achieve technological self-reliance have yielded meaningful results, but full independence is still a work in progress. Continued research and development, the nurturing of professional talent and strong policy support must go hand in hand. The KMA plans to further strengthen its research capabilities with the test observation station at the center, and ultimately aims to develop and produce complete weather radar systems entirely in Korea.
Just as the cheugugi once demonstrated Korean technological excellence to the world, I hope the future vision for “K-Radar” extends beyond self-reliance to become a new symbol of Korea’s leadership in science and technology. As past inventions sow the seeds for future advancements, the KMA’s bold pursuit of homegrown technology to observe the skies and forecast the future continues to carry that legacy forward.
Chang Dong-eon is administrator of the Korea Meteorological Administration.