State media says new engine boosts strategic arsenal while experts question key details of the test
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Kim Jong Un oversaw a ground test of an upgraded solid-fuel missile engine designed for weapons capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, according to state media reports released Sunday.
The Korean Central News Agency said the test involved a composite carbon fiber engine with a reported maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons, an increase from approximately 1,970 kilonewtons cited in a similar test conducted in September. The agency described the development as part of North Korea’s five-year military modernization plan aimed at strengthening what it called “strategic strike means,” referring to nuclear-capable ballistic missile systems.
Kim described the test as having “great significance in putting the country’s strategic military muscle on the highest level,” according to the report. The agency did not specify the date or location of the test.
Solid-fuel missile systems are considered more advanced in operational terms because they can be deployed more quickly and are harder to detect than liquid-fuel missiles, which typically require fueling prior to launch. The improved engine could enable North Korea to develop more mobile and concealable missile systems, including those launched from submarines or transporter-erector-launcher vehicles.
Some analysts, however, expressed caution about the claims. Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute, said the report lacked key technical details such as combustion duration, raising the possibility that the announcement overstated the engine’s capabilities.
North Korea had previously described a series of solid-fuel engine tests as part of its intercontinental ballistic missile development program. Although observers expected a follow-up ICBM launch after earlier tests, no such launch has been confirmed.
Analysts have suggested the program may be experiencing delays or undergoing redesign, potentially with external assistance. Military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has increased in recent years, including reported transfers of troops and conventional weapons tied to the conflict in Ukraine.
North Korea has conducted multiple ICBM tests in recent years demonstrating potential range to reach the United States, including systems using solid fuel. However, some previous claims—such as a reported successful multi-warhead missile test in 2024—were disputed by South Korean officials, who characterized the launch as unsuccessful.
Experts remain divided on the maturity of North Korea’s missile capabilities. Some point to ongoing challenges, including ensuring warheads can survive atmospheric reentry, while others argue the country’s long-term investment in nuclear and missile development has significantly advanced its capabilities.
Increased engine power could support the development of missiles carrying multiple warheads, a capability that could complicate missile defense systems.
North Korea has accelerated its weapons programs following the collapse of diplomacy with Donald Trump in 2019. During a ruling Workers’ Party congress in February, Kim indicated a willingness to engage in future talks but rejected demands that North Korea abandon its nuclear arsenal as a precondition for negotiations.
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