North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, oversaw a test of a powerful, solid-fueled engine and praised it as a significant advancement to enhance the nation’s strategic military capabilities, according to state media reports on Sunday. The test suggests Kim’s determination to expand and modernize a missile arsenal capable of reaching the mainland of the United States.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released the report on Sunday following Kim’s recent address to North Korea’s parliament, where he vowed to solidify his country’s nuclear power status and criticized the U.S. for global “state terrorism and aggression,” likely referring to conflicts in the Middle East.
As per KCNA, Kim personally witnessed the ground test of the newly upgraded engine, which incorporates a composite carbon fiber material. The engine’s maximum thrust is reported to be 2,500 kilotons, an increase from the approximately 1,971 kilotons recorded in a similar solid fuel engine test in September.
Observers believe the effort to enhance engine power is linked to plans to equip single missiles with multiple warheads, aiming to improve the chances of bypassing U.S. defense systems. The test, conducted as part of a five-year military escalation program, aims to upgrade the country’s “strategic strike means,” particularly focusing on nuclear-capable, intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to target the continental U.S.
Kim emphasized the significant impact of the latest engine test on elevating the country’s strategic military strength to its peak level, as reported by KCNA. While the exact timing and location of the test were not disclosed, North Korea has been actively testing various intercontinental ballistic missiles in recent years, showcasing the potential to reach the U.S. mainland with solid propellant missiles that are harder to detect prior to launch compared to older liquid-fuel missiles.
Despite facing technological challenges in developing a fully functional intercontinental ballistic missile, including ensuring warheads survive reentry conditions, North Korea has been intensifying efforts to expand its nuclear arsenal since the breakdown of talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019. Kim has indicated openness to dialogue with Trump but reiterated the stance that Washington should abandon demands for North Korea’s nuclear disarmament as a prerequisite for negotiations.