SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s navy confirmed it test-fired a solid-fueled rocket Friday after its unannounced launch triggered transient public scare of a suspected UFO look or a North Korean missile launch.
The Protection Ministry stated in an announcement that the rocket launch was a part of its efforts to construct a space-based surveillance functionality and bolster its protection posture.
It stated it didn’t notify most of the people of the launch prematurely as a result of it concerned delicate navy safety points.
A twisty tendril of vapor in white-to-red ombre might be seen snaking behind a brilliant white gentle in components of South Korea’s sky Friday night. South Korean social media and websites have been abuzz with messages by residents who stated they noticed a hovering object, rainbow-colored vapor path or different mysterious lights. Some additionally posted pictures and movies.
“What is that this? Is that this a UFO? I’m scared,” stated one Twitter consumer. One other stated they suspected it was a North Korean missile launch and apprehensive a couple of struggle. Others suspected it was a drone gentle present or a supernatural phenomenon.
South Korean emergency workplaces and police obtained a whole lot of residents’ studies of witnessing of a suspicious flying object and mysterious lights throughout the nation, in line with native media.
The South Korean rocket launch got here 4 days after the South accused the North of flying five drones across the rivals’ border Monday for the primary time in 5 years. South Korea’s navy detected the drones however didn’t shoot them down, inflicting safety issues about its air protection community. The navy later offered a rare apology for that.
South Korean officers stated they plan to make use of a solid-fueled rocket to place the nation’s first spy satellite tv for pc into orbit. In March, South Korea performed its first profitable launch of a solid-fuel rocket.
Stable-fuel rockets cut back launch instances, have easier buildings and are cheaper to develop and manufacture than liquid-fuel rockets, South Korean officers stated.
The Protection Ministry stated Friday’s launch was a follow-up check of the March launch.
North Korea can be pushing to develop its first navy surveillance satellite tv for pc and different high-tech weapons programs to deal with what it calls U.S. hostility. Earlier this 12 months, North Korea carried out a report variety of missile checks in what consultants name a bid to prefect its nuclear weapons know-how and boost its leverage in future dealings with the United States.
