Photo: KCNA / Reuters
According to the Korean Central Telegraphic Agency, the test was personally observed by the country’s leader Kim Jong-un. He said that this is an important step to strengthen the country’s military power.
According to the Associated Press, the new carbon composite engine is more powerful than the previous one: its thrust is about 2,500 kilonewtons. By comparison, the previous version had a lower thrust of about 1,97,000 kilonewtons.
Pyongyang hides details of tests
At the same time, experts in South Korea doubt the stated characteristics. North Korea has not disclosed important details, for example, how long the engine can work. Therefore, it is impossible to verify this data.
In recent years, North Korea has been actively developing intercontinental missiles. According to the Associated Press, some of them have already shown a range that is theoretically enough to reach the US. Solid-propellant missiles are considered more dangerous because they are faster to prepare for launch and harder to detect in advance.
Pyongyang has also previously claimed to be developing missiles with multiple warheads, but those claims have raised doubts among experts. Some experts believe that the technology has not yet been finalized, while others believe that the country is close to developing full-fledged intercontinental missiles.
Against this background, the US and South Korea held joint military exercises Freedom Shield in March 2026. They stated that the exercises were aimed at defense and practicing actions in case of a threat from the DPRK.
