The Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II (KSLV-II), also called Nuri, lifts off from Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, southwestern Korea, June 21, in the country's second attempt to put satellites into orbit. Yonhap

Korea successfully launched its locally developed Nuri space rocket Tuesday in a second attempt to put satellites into orbit, reaching a major milestone in the country's space program.

The 200-ton Nuri, also known as KSLV-II, blasted off from the Naro Space Center in the country's southern coastal village of Goheung at 4 p.m. and successfully completed its flight sequence, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The rocket also deployed satellites at the target altitude of 700 kilometers as planned. Of those, a performance verification satellite successfully reached its orbit, according to officials.

"We have arrived at a monumental moment not just in Korea's science technology history but for Korea's history as well," Science Minister Lee Jong-ho said in a briefing at the space center.