South Korea aborts rocket launch minutes before lifto

SEOUL. August 20. KAZINFORM South Korea on Wednesday aborted its first domestic launch of a rocket just minutes before scheduled liftoff because of a technical problem, delaying space ambitions that have threatened to anger rival North Korea; Kazinform reers to Today's Zaman.

The rocket was to have shot into space about four months after North Korea was widely criticized for firing its own rocket in defiance of United Nations sanctions. The North said it would keep a close eye on the international response to Seoul's rocket launch.

Officials said they hoped a new attempt could take place within days; Kazinform has learnt from Today's Zaman.

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