[THE INVESTOR] KT Chairman Hwang Chang-kyu met with Elon Musk, CEO of Space X and Tesla, on Oct. 12 to discuss cooperation in launching a communication satellite and autonomous vehicles.

According to the Korean telco, Hwang visited the Space X headquarters in California, US, to meet Musk and check preparations for launching KT’s communications satellite scheduled for end-October. 

KT Chairman Hwang Chang-kyu (right) shaking hands with Elon Musk (left) at the Space X headquarters in California, USA on Oct. 12.

KT signed a contract with Space X for launching Mugunghwa 5A satellite in February 2015. The satellite, which replaces the Mugunghwa 5 that has been utilized since 2006, enables communication to the Middle East, which is approximately 7,500 km away from Korea. Space X will be responsible for the rocket production and launch.

In addition, during the visit KT proposed autonomous driving technology cooperation based on the commercialization of 5G services. Hwang shared KT’s plans to commercialize 5G and its construction of a self-driving demonstration complex in Pangyo, Seoul. The chairman also invited Musk to the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics where the world’s first 5G demonstration will take place.

By Alex Lee (alexlee@heraldcorp.com)