South Korea's first space rocket, commissioned to place a sun observation satellite into orbit, was Tuesday cleared for Wednesday's launch.
The clearance came after officials at the Naro Space Center, the launch site, and senior government officials in Seoul discussed whether to delay the launch upon the death of former President Kim Dae-jung.
Following a consultation with Cheong Wa Dae, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology concluded that the launch could not afford another postponement, especially with the typhoon season of September approaching close.
"The rocket is already on the launch pad, and it would be difficult to remove it. We also have about 160 Russian engineers here, and should the launch be delayed, it would be difficult to reschedule," Kim Jung-hyun, vice science minister, said in a news conference.
"The late Kim showed a great commitment to making Korea a strong nation in space technology. Our engineers are intent on doing the best up to the last moment to make him proud."
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