South Korea tests solid-fuel rocket amid space race with North Korea (updated)

Hanwha Systems

04/12/2023 06:29

(Adds more details on the launch in paragraph 1-4, context on
space race)
    By Hyunsu Yim
       SEOUL, Dec 4 (Reuters) - South Korea on Monday
successfully conducted a test flight of a solid-fuel space
rocket over the sea near Jeju Island, the defence ministry said,
amid a growing space race with neighbouring North Korea.
        It was the third test of its kind following two others
in December and March last year.
  
        The launch involved technology developed at the
state-run Agency for Defense Development and a space rocket and
a satellite produced by South Korea's Hanwha Systems
 272210.KS , the ministry said in a statement.
        The ministry hailed the launch as achieving a milestone
at a time when Pyongyang recently launched a military spy
satellite, which the United States and its allies have condemned
for using missile technology contravening U.N. security
resolution. 
  
        South Korea's successful launch would accelerate the
country's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
capabilities, the ministry said.
  
        Monday's test flight comes after a SpaceX Falcon 9
rocket 
    carried
     South Korea's first spy satellite into orbit on Friday from
California's Vandenberg Space Force Base.
  
        Last month, North Korea launched its own military
reconnaissance satellite, with leader Kim Jong Un receiving
photos of White House, Pentagon and U.S. aircraft carriers at
the naval base of Norfolk, according to state media.
  
        A functioning reconnaissance satellite could give North
Korea its first capability to remotely monitor U.S., South
Korean, and Japanese troops. South Korea's satellites would
reduce its dependence on American intelligence systems.
  
        Pyongyang has not released any imagery, however, leaving
analysts and foreign governments to debate how capable the new
satellite is and has 
    defended
     satellite launches as part of its sovereign rights in
response to criticism.
  

 (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim
Editing by Ed Davies)
 ((Hyunsu.Yim@thomsonreuters.com;))