Korea can now develop solid-propellant boosters for its space rockets after striking a deal on new missile guidelines with the United States.
Kim Hyun-chong, the second deputy director of the National Security Office (NSO), said Seoul and Washington agreed to lift a decades-long restriction on the former’s use of solid fuels for its space launch vehicles. The new guidelines took effect immediately.
“The new guidelines enable Korean companies, research institutes and technically even individuals to develop, produce and possess space rockets that use not only liquid fuel but also solid and hybrid ones without restrictions,” Kim said, adding that it would help advance the Korean military’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
He added said the accord enables Korea to launch low-earth orbit military spy satellites, flying at the altitude of 500 to 2,000 kilometers, anytime and anywhere, which would place the entire Korean Peninsula under around-the-clock surveillance by the military.