South Korean rocket launch delayed

SOUTH KOREA: South Korean space officials halted the countdown on a crucial rocket launch Thursday, aimed at placing a satellite in orbit and announcing the country's entry into an elite global space club.

The countdown was suspended just 17 minutes before the scheduled launch time of 4:00pm (0700 GMT) at the Naro Space Center on the south coast, after a possible propulsion problem was detected in the rocket's second stage.

"Preparations for the launch have been temporarily suspended due to technical problems," Deputy Science Minister Cho Yul-Rae told reporters.

AFP