China's Chang'e-7 mission, scheduled for around 2026, is poised to unlock the Moon's mysteries further, checking if there is evidence of water on the South Pole of the Earth's natural satellite, said Wu Weiren, chief designer of the country's lunar exploration project, in a recent interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Huangshan City, Anhui Province in east China.
Wu, also academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said the ambitious mission could revolutionize future lunar exploration.
"Why will we go to the [Moon's] south pole? Some international peers have launched probes and they think the detected results show the presence of water molecules in the atmosphere above the South Pole. If this is true, then it's possible that water exists in the permanently shadowed regions there, likely in the form of ice, as these areas have not been exposed to sunlight for long time. Whether there is water, and how much it is there, are key questions that concern people and the scientists worldwide," explained Wu.
Wu said if China can find direct evidence of water ice, it will be an extraordinary achievement and Chang'e-7 also has the potential to become the world's first spacecraft to land at the lunar South Pole.
"It would create conditions for long-term human presence on the Moon and lay the foundation for humans to embark on deeper space exploration from the Moon, such as journeys to Mars or other celestial bodies," he said.
Following Chang'e-7, China plans to launch Chang'e-8 around 2028 to test in-situ resource utilization technology on the Moon.
By 2030, China aims to realize a manned lunar landing, and by 2035, to establish the core structure of an international lunar research base.
So far, more than 50 countries and international organizations have already signed cooperation agreements with China on this ambitious project.
China's Chang'e-7 mission aims for groundbreaking water discovery on Moon
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
