The test of the solid-fuel engine made of composite carbon fibre material was "part of the national defence development plan in the period of the new five-year plan", Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. It was the first officially confirmed high-thrust solid-fuel engine test since September last year, when state media said an engine generated a maximum thrust of 1,971 kilonewtons. Photos released by the news agency showed Kim inspecting what appeared to be part of the engine, flanked by officials. Another image showed flames erupting from a ground-mounted engine, illuminating the surrounding test site in orange light. Kim added that North Korea's defence capabilities had entered "a significant phase of change" in the building up of its strategic forces.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 29, 2026 03:49 UTC