SEOUL: In a growing space race with neighboring North Korea, South Korea successfully carried out on Monday ( Dec 4 ) the flight of an solid-fuel rocket over the sea near Jeju Island, according to the defense ministry.
After two other successful tests of the rocket’s systems in March and December 2022, it was the fourth.
The state-run Agency for Defense Development developed the technology for the release on Monday, and Hanwha Systems in South Korea produced the booster and satellite, according to the ministry.
According to Hanwha Systems, the satellite, which will be used for human purposes and environmental monitoring, safely sent signals to the ground control center.
Only after Pyongyang launched its first defense spy satellite, which the United States and its allies have denounced for using missile systems in violation of UN security decision, the government hailed the start as a step.
According to the government, South Korea’s successful start will allow the nation to speed up its security and reconnaissance capabilities.
The second detective satellite from South Korea was launched into orbit on Friday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California by a SpaceX Falcon 9 jet.
On Monday, North Korea criticized Washington’s “double regular” regarding the two Koreas ‘ satellite launches and declared that such “brigandish” American criteria would never be accepted.