North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the ninth and final test of a solid‑fuel engine intended for long‑range nuclear missiles, according to state media. The test, described as a “ground jet test of high‑thrust solid‑fuel engine using the composite carbon fiber material,” signals that a full test‑fire of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) could occur in the coming months. Kim was quoted by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) saying the new rocket engine “heralds a significant change in expanding and strengthening the nuclear strategic forces” of North Korea.
The engine test follows the unveiling of the Hwasong‑20, billed as North Korea’s next‑generation ICBM, and analysts believe it indicates the production of a solid‑fuel engine for that missile, with a probable test launch expected soon. The use of solid‑fuel variants and carbon‑fiber material could make the ICBMs lighter and give them greater range, potentially allowing them to reach the continental United States.
North Korea’s relationship with Russia has grown increasingly significant since the invasion of Ukraine, with the two countries becoming close allies. Analysts speculate that Russia may be providing technical support for North Korea’s prohibited weapons and satellite programs in exchange for assistance, accelerating missile development and enabling a shift from “crude” to “complete” capabilities.
The test also came after Kim’s trip to Beijing, where he attended a military parade marking Japan’s surrender in World War II alongside Chinese and Russian leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. North Korea has repeatedly asserted its intention to maintain its nuclear arsenal, dismissing South Korean President Lee Jae‑Myung as a “hypocrite” for calling for a “path to denuclearisation.” Pyongyang’s stance remains unchanged, and the latest development is expected to have significant implications for regional and global security, with the potential for further escalation in the coming months.
Comments are closed for this story.