On Thursday, South Korea issued an emergency halt to the launch of its first space rocket, the Naro-1, only 17 minutes before the scheduled launch, due to technical problems.

This marks another delay in the third attempt by South Korea to launch a rocket on its own soil.

An earlier launch plan was postponed due to a damaged seal in the connector between the rocket and the launch pad in October. And with this delay, South Korea's aerospace dreams have been postponed once again.

Although it has already failed several times, South Korea still keeps trying to launch the Naro-1. There are many reasons for this persistence.

With South Korea's development in various fields, the public is keen to pursue a more independent course and reduce reliance on the US.

The US will shift operational command over the military to South Korea by 2015, so at this time, although the US does not want South Korea to have its own strong aerospace sector, South Korea wants to break through US restrictions to develop its own abilities at self-defense in order to contain North Korea and safeguard itself. Security considerations are the main reason for the repeated launches.

This launch also has political significance. South Korea wants to declare its strength through its aerospace capabilities to other countries, especially North Korea.

Domestically, South Korean government wants to enhance social cohesion by this action, since the public will see a successful launch as a real sign of power.

The Lee Myung-bak administration is attempting to gain political leverage through a successful launch.

North Korea also announced that it would launch a rocket carrying a satellite between December 10 and 22, during the South Korean election campaign.

North Korea's action will further stimulate the South Korean public. If North Korea's satellite is successfully launched during South Korea's elections, the success will be a sharp contrast to South Korea's failure, and it may affect the result of the elections.

However, the launches are not directly opposed to each other. South Korea is concerned more about its own security. And while North Korea certainly chose a provocative time for its launch to put pressure on the South, it has long been trying to develop its aerospace abilities. This is part of a long-term strategy. So the two halves of the Peninsula are not yet in a space race.

Of course, under pressure from North Korea, South Korea will be forced to develop its technology. But South Korea's technology depends greatly on external forces.

The Naro-1 relies on Russian technology. Even if the next launch is successful, South Korea cannot completely access technology in this field and achieve a breakthrough in the short run.

In fact, North Korea also cannot fully master relevant technology, although it claims that its previous two launches of the satellites were successful. Its current technology is relatively rough.

Both South and North Korea are just trying hard to access the technology. They are not competing with the other or starting a space race at present.

Therefore, although the situation in the Korean Peninsula will be affected, it will not deteriorate the conflict into serious military clash.

International society will also pay close attention to prevent the situation from going too far. North Korea's launch has violated relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The US condemned North Korea's plan as a "highly provocative act" that may threaten peace and security in the region.

It's very likely that the UN and Western countries will impose more sanctions on North Korea for the satellite launch. But the Peninsula's situation will remain under control.

The article was compiled by Global Times reporter Shu Meng, based on an interview with Cai Jian, deputy director of the Center for Korean Studies at Fudan University. shumeng@globaltimes.com.cn