On November 27, when Nuri (KSLV-II) — the first Korean launch vehicle built under private-sector leadership — was successfully launched, Park Jong-chan, head of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute’s KSLV-II Advancement Program (second from right), celebrates at the launch control center of the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province. (Photo provided by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute.)
POHANG, Dec. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — The successful fourth launch of South Korea’s homegrown Nuri rocket has had an unexpected beneficiary: Pohang University of Science and Technology (Postech).
According to the university on Thursday, the surge in attention began after Park Jong-chan, 53, head of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute’s Nuri rocket advancement program, appeared at the Naro Space Center’s launch command site last week wearing a navy Postech hoodie.
Park, the chief official responsible for the Nuri project, is a Postech alumnus who earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering at the school.
Television cameras captured Park celebrating the rocket’s successful flight on November 27 — shaking hands with researchers while prominently displaying the “POSTECH” logo on his chest. The footage was widely broadcast by major media outlets, turning the hoodie into an overnight sensation.
Postech ranked ninth in last year’s Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings, outperforming other institutions in research funding, publication output, and sustained strength in industry–academia collaboration. In 2017, The Times of London also named Postech the world’s top university in terms of the proportion of research output derived from industry partnerships. (Image courtesy of Postech)
Postech officials said they do not know exactly why Park chose to wear the garment, though many assume it was an expression of affection for his alma mater. Whatever the reason, the effect was immediate: the university’s small on-campus souvenir store was soon overwhelmed by demand.
Because Postech hoodies were not traditionally big sellers, the store had kept only limited stock — and quickly ran out. With purchase inquiries continuing to pour in, the store rushed to place additional orders, though the university said buyers may now face a wait of up to one month due to production time.
“Seeing one of our alumni leading the Nuri program and proudly wearing a Postech hoodie at the launch site has drawn enormous interest,” a university spokesperson said.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
