The test flight was a follow-up to another launch conducted on March 30, the ministry said. It added that the launch was conducted to beef up national defence capabilities in areas like independent, space-based surveillance and reconnaissance. PHOTO: THE KOREA HERALD/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK

The light trail is seen in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. South Korea’s military confirmed it test-fired a solid-fueled rocket on Friday, after its unannounced launch triggered brief public scare of a suspected UFO appearance or a North Korean missile or drone flying. The ministry also apologised for not warning the public in advance. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

File Photo: Multiple drones from North Korea crossed into South Korea on Monday and flew over its territory, prompting the South Korean military to fire warning shots at them, the military said. The incident, which marked the first known incursion into South Korean territorial airspace by a North Korean drone since 2017, was a “clear provocation” by the North, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. (Kyodo)