South Korea joins Galileo satellite navigation system

South Korea is the latest non-European country to join the European Union’s Galileo satellite navigation program.

The agreement underlines the growing interest worldwide in the program, which last month successfully launched its first satellite, the Galileo Giove-A, said the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, in a statement on Thursday.

Galileo complements the U.S.-operated GPS service. Like GPS, it will transmit synchronized signals from a constellation of satellites.

The satellite system is designed to provide navigational services to drivers, pilots and sailors as well as sectors that have not used satellite navigation before, such as air traffic control, emergency services, and power station networks. It can also be used by mobile phone users to find directions to the nearest cinema or restaurant.

China and Israel are among the non-European countries that have already signed up to the Galileo program.

The EU has also reached an agreement with the U.S. to ensure interoperability and compatibility with GPS, and is currently in talks with Russia to achieve the same with that country’s Glonass navigation system.