Seoul says the “major milestone” is part of efforts to improve satellite and reconnaissance capabilities.
South Korea says it has conducted its first successful launch of a solid-fuel rocket, in what it calls an important step towards achieving space surveillance capabilities amid rising tensions on the peninsula. Divided.
Wednesday’s launch comes six days after North Korea said it conducted its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test since 2017, the latest weapons test since the start of the year.
The South Korean launch took place from Taean, 150 kilometers (93 mi) southwest of Seoul, in the presence of Defense Minister Suh Wook and other senior defense officials, with photographs shows the rocket rising into the sky before launching a dummy satellite into space.
The ministry said the successful test marked a “major milestone” in enhancing South Korea’s independent space-based surveillance and surveillance capabilities.
South Korea currently does not have its own military surveillance satellite and relies on US spy satellites to monitor strategic facilities in North Korea.
Pyongyang has carried out a series of weapons tests since the start of the year and a week ago tested what it said were New ICBM. The launch ended a self-imposed moratorium on major weapons tests, broke UN Security Council resolutions and raised fears the country could resume nuclear weapons testing. in the next time.
Doubts arose Regarding ICBMs, the South concluded earlier this week that it was the previously tested Hwasong-15, and not the larger, longer-range Hwasong-17 that Pyongyang claims was tested by North Korea. . The missile flew farther and longer than any previous North Korean launch, putting all of the United States inland within striking distance.
“Coming at a very serious time after North Korea lifted its ban on weapons testing, the successful test launch of this solid-fuel space launch vehicle is an important milestone in our military’s efforts to build) a unilateral surveillance system in space and strengthen defense capabilities,” the South Korean statement said.
Seoul has secured U.S. permission to use solid fuel for space launch vehicles by 2020, removing a 20-year agreed-upon restriction due to concerns that using the technology could be harmful. could lead to larger missiles and trigger an arms race in the region.
Last year, the United States lifted other remaining restrictions to allow South Korea to develop missiles with an unlimited range.
Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Policy, said the development of solid-fuel rockets will also contribute to the improvement of South Korea’s missile technology, as rockets Ballistics and rockets used in satellite launches have the same engine, body. and other technology.
Lee said solid-fuel rockets are often used to launch small satellites because they have weaker thrust than liquid fuel rockets of similar size. He said larger satellites can carry larger cameras to produce higher resolution images.
Korea debut The first domestically produced liquid-fuel space rocket, NURI, October last year. The three-stage rocket, decorated with the flag of South Korea and carrying a dummy satellite, successfully exploded and reached the desired altitude but failed to put the satellite into orbit.
There was no immediate response from North Korea to Seoul’s latest missile launch.
They previously called the US decision to lift missile restrictions on South Korea an example of Washington’s hostile policy towards North Korea.
The 1950-1953 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, and North and South Korea built armies and weapons along the demilitarized zone (DMZ), separating the two countries. .
