The government has launched a meteorite registration system Tuesday to manage the extraterrestrial materials under state care.  
 
The Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning said a state license will be issued to the owners of meteorites if they apply for the registration at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources.
 
Any meteorite discovered in South Korea or bought from overseas is eligible for the government registration, if it passes a review by the institute.
 
Under the system, the registered owners will receive a certificate and are required to report any changes regarding the information of the meteorites.
 
The ministry expects the system will not only help the government manage the meteorites systematically, but will also provide technical assistance to the owners in preserving the meteorites’ value.
 
The government measure comes after meteorites were found in Jinju, South Gyeongsang, in March and attracted hundreds of treasure seekers from across the country.