SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a test of an upgraded solid-fuel engine designed for missiles that could reach the U.S. mainland, state media reported Sunday. The North Korean leader described the test as a major step in strengthening his country’s strategic military capabilities.
The test aligns with Pyongyang’s stated goal of developing more mobile and harder-to-detect missiles, though some experts caution that North Korea’s claims may be exaggerated. Solid-fuel engines are easier to transport and conceal compared with liquid-fuel missiles, which require fueling prior to launch and cannot remain in readiness for long periods.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim observed the ground test of a composite carbon fiber engine. The report stated the engine achieved a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons, up from 1,970 kilonewtons recorded during a similar test in September. KCNA described the test as part of North Korea’s five-year plan to modernize its “strategic strike means,” a term referring to nuclear-capable ballistic missiles and related weapons. Kim said the test had “great significance in putting the country’s strategic military muscle on the highest level,” though KCNA did not provide details on the date or location of the test.
Some analysts are skeptical of the North’s claims, noting that key technical details such as the engine’s total combustion time were not disclosed. Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute, suggested the report could be “bluffing” and noted that previous tests have not always led to immediate missile launches.
North Korea previously conducted a series of ground tests for a solid-fuel engine it said would power intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), but has yet to conduct a full-scale launch with the upgraded engine. Experts suggest the program may be facing delays or seeking to improve its technology, potentially with assistance from Russia, with which North Korea has increased cooperation in recent years, including providing troops and conventional weapons for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Despite repeated claims of ICBM advancements, some foreign analysts maintain that North Korea still faces challenges in ensuring warheads survive atmospheric reentry. Others point out that years of development in its nuclear and missile programs may have allowed the country to overcome these hurdles.
Possession of more efficient solid-fuel engines could enable North Korea to deploy smaller, more mobile missiles, including submarine-launched and truck-based ICBMs. Experts also suggest the push for higher engine power may support the deployment of multiple warheads per missile, potentially increasing the likelihood of penetrating U.S. missile defenses.
North Korea has accelerated its nuclear and missile programs following the collapse of high-level diplomacy with the United States in 2019. In February, Kim signaled a willingness to resume talks but insisted that Washington drop demands for complete nuclear disarmament as a precondition for negotiations.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
