NASA, South Korea sign mutual statement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. space agency and South Korean government officials say they've signed a statement of intent to cooperate in civil aerospace activities.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said the agreement was signed Thursday in Seoul by the Director General of the South Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Munki Lee and NASA Assistant Administrator for External Relations Michael O'Brien.

NASA said the agencies agreed to conduct discussions to identify cooperative activities related to space exploration, Earth science, planetary science, human space flight and aeronautics research.

"The fundamental goal of these discussions will be to advance the interests of both nations through cooperation in space and aeronautics programs," NASA said, noting a joint report is expected to be released within eight months.

The discussions are intended to explore a wide range of potential cooperative efforts, including an exchange of research data and the International Lunar Network, a multilateral initiative to establish a robotic network on the surface of the moon.