South Korea rocket launch to proceed

MANILA, Philippines - The South Korean satellite launch will proceed on Thursday afternoon, the National Disaster Risk-Reduction Management Council said.

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said they have been informed by Col. Ed Maningding, the Defense and Armed Forces attache in South Korea,  that the launch will be around 3 p.m. Philippine time.

"Confirmed na ito. Three o' clock ang launching," Ramos said in a radio interview.

Ramos said South Korean authorities are certain that the scheduled rocket launch will proceed as planned because of the good weather condition in the area.

"According to the Korean Meteorological Organization, weather is clear in the area," Ramos added.

He also advised fishermen in the area that is included in the rocket path  to comply
with the no-fish zone.

"Sa ating mga kababayan lalong-lalo na ang mga mangingisda na nakaantabay...matutuloy na po ito pag papalipad sa South Korea ng satellite, alas tres ng hapon hanggang sa alas singko na ito,"  Ramos said, noting it would only take nine minutes to know if the launch will be successful or not.

The satellite launch has stopped seven international flights in the country, the NDRRMC head said.

He said if there would be debris falling to the seas of the country, it will be collected and studied by the Philippine Nuclear Institute.