SEOUL: North Korea has carried out a successful ground test for a new high-power rocket engine, state media said Tuesday, in a development that could advance Pyongyang’s weapons programme. There has been speculation that North Korea might celebrate the 68th anniversary of the ruling Workers Party of Korea on October 10 by launching a satellite. North Korea has already carried out a series of long-range missile tests presented as satellite launches, most recently in February. The September 9 nuclear test was the North’s fifth and most powerful yet at 10 kilotons experts have said. A proven submarine-launched ballistic missile system would allow deployment far beyond the Korean peninsula and a “second-strike” capability in the event of an attack on the North’s military bases.

Source: New Strait Times September 20, 2016 00:22 UTC