By HYUNG-JIN KIM (Associated Press)
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s army 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 Defense Ministry mentioned in a press release that the rocket launch was a part of its efforts to construct a space-based surveillance functionality and bolster its protection posture.
It mentioned it didn’t notify most of the people of the launch prematurely as a result of it concerned delicate army safety points.
A twisty tendril of vapor in white-to-red ombre could possibly be seen snaking behind a vibrant white gentle in elements of South Korea’s sky Friday night. South Korean social media and websites had been abuzz with messages by residents who mentioned they noticed a hovering object, rainbow-colored vapor path or different mysterious lights. Some additionally posted pictures and movies.
“What is this? Is this a UFO? I’m scared,” mentioned one Twitter person. Another mentioned they suspected it was a North Korean missile launch and fearful a couple of struggle. Others suspected it was a drone gentle present or a supernatural phenomenon.
South Korean emergency workplaces and police acquired tons of of residents’ stories 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 5 drones throughout the rivals’ border Monday for the primary time in 5 years. South Korea’s army detected the drones however did not shoot them down, inflicting safety issues about its air protection community. The army later supplied a uncommon apology for that.
South Korean officers mentioned 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 carried out its first profitable launch of a solid-fuel rocket.
Solid-fuel rockets scale back launch occasions, have less complicated constructions and are cheaper to develop and manufacture than liquid-fuel rockets, South Korean officers mentioned.
The Defense Ministry mentioned Friday’s launch was a follow-up take a look at of the March launch.
North Korea can be pushing to develop its first army surveillance satellite tv for pc and different high-tech weapons techniques to deal with what it calls U.S. hostility. Earlier this yr, North Korea carried out a document variety of missile assessments in what specialists name a bid to prefect its nuclear weapons expertise and increase its leverage in future dealings with the United States.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”