South Korea said it carried out the first successful solid-fuel rocket launch in what it called a major step toward space surveillance capabilities amid rising tensions on the divided peninsula.
The South Korean launch took place from Taean, 150 kilometers (93 miles) southwest of Seoul, in front of Defense Minister Suh Wook and other senior defense officials, with photos showing the rocket soaring into the sky before releasing a mock satellite into space.
The ministry said the successful test marked an "important milestone" in enhancing South Korea's independent space-based reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities.
South Korea currently has no military reconnaissance satellite of its own 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 it tested what it said was a new ICBM.
The launch ended a self-imposed moratorium on major weapons tests, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and has raised fears that the country may further pursue nuclear weapons tests.
Suspicion has been raised about the ICBM with South Korea concluding earlier this week that it was a previously tested Hwasong-15, rather than the larger, longer-range Hwasong-17 that Pyongyang claims North Korea had tested. The missile flew farther and longer than previous North Korean launches.
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"Coming at a very crucial time after North Korea lifted its weapons test moratorium, this successful test launch of a solid-fuel space launch vehicle is an important milestone in our military's efforts to (establish) a unilateral space-based surveillance system and enhance defense capabilities, ” said the South Korean government statement.
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