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North Korea tests solid-fuel rocket engine, says state media North Korea tests solid-fuel rocket engine, says state media
(5 months later)
Kim Jong-un hailed a “historic” advance in the country’s nuclear strike capability, state media said, as the North Korean regime claimed it had successfully tested a solid-fuel rocket engine.Kim Jong-un hailed a “historic” advance in the country’s nuclear strike capability, state media said, as the North Korean regime claimed it had successfully tested a solid-fuel rocket engine.
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It was the latest in a string of claims by Pyongyang regarding the growing technical sophistication of its nuclear programme – accompanied by threats of strikes on the US mainland.It was the latest in a string of claims by Pyongyang regarding the growing technical sophistication of its nuclear programme – accompanied by threats of strikes on the US mainland.
Tensions have been soaring on the divided Korean peninsula since the North carried out its fourth nuclear test on 6 January, followed a month later by a long-range rocket launch that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test, and a string of smaller launches.Tensions have been soaring on the divided Korean peninsula since the North carried out its fourth nuclear test on 6 January, followed a month later by a long-range rocket launch that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test, and a string of smaller launches.
Angered by continuing large-scale South Korea-US military drills, Pyongyang has ramped up the rhetoric in recent weeks, maintaining a daily barrage of threats against both Seoul and Washington.Angered by continuing large-scale South Korea-US military drills, Pyongyang has ramped up the rhetoric in recent weeks, maintaining a daily barrage of threats against both Seoul and Washington.
The solid-fuel test was personally monitored by Kim, who said it would allow for a major upgrade of the North’s missile delivery systems that would “strike great horror and terror into the hearts of our enemies”, the state-run KCNA news agency said.The solid-fuel test was personally monitored by Kim, who said it would allow for a major upgrade of the North’s missile delivery systems that would “strike great horror and terror into the hearts of our enemies”, the state-run KCNA news agency said.
Solid-fuel missiles would have distinct advantages – including greater mobility and the ability to launch within minutes – over Pyongyang’s current, largely liquid-fuelled arsenal.Solid-fuel missiles would have distinct advantages – including greater mobility and the ability to launch within minutes – over Pyongyang’s current, largely liquid-fuelled arsenal.
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The North is already understood to use solid fuel for its short-range, road-mobile ballistic missiles, but not for medium-range or untested long-range missiles.The North is already understood to use solid fuel for its short-range, road-mobile ballistic missiles, but not for medium-range or untested long-range missiles.
According to KCNA the solid-fuel test was of a “large output” engine and included separation testing.According to KCNA the solid-fuel test was of a “large output” engine and included separation testing.
“This is an historic and unforgettable day,” Kim was quoted as saying.“This is an historic and unforgettable day,” Kim was quoted as saying.
In recent weeks North Korea has also claimed to have miniaturised a thermonuclear warhead that can fit on a ballistic missile, and to have successfully tested re-entry technology that would allow the warhead – when carried on a long-range missile – to survive its plunge through the atmosphere.In recent weeks North Korea has also claimed to have miniaturised a thermonuclear warhead that can fit on a ballistic missile, and to have successfully tested re-entry technology that would allow the warhead – when carried on a long-range missile – to survive its plunge through the atmosphere.
Experts say the claims are likely a mix of fact and exaggeration. However there is a consensus that North Korea has made progress towards its goal of an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear bomb to the continental United States.Experts say the claims are likely a mix of fact and exaggeration. However there is a consensus that North Korea has made progress towards its goal of an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear bomb to the continental United States.