One of the major milestones that have been achieved by North Korea in its quest to enhance its strategic military positions is a series of test of a high thrust solid-fuel engine, which was overseen by Kim Jong Un. The most recent development, according to the reports of the state media issued on Sunday, is focused on the promotion of the country missile technology, specifically, the systems that will be able to reach the territory of the United States.
The test, which was announced by Korean Central News Agency, involved a new improved engine that was constructed using high grade materials of composite carbon fibre. The officials said that the engine produced a peak thrust of 2,500 kilotons, which is quite high compared to the 1,971 kilotons that the same test produced last year. This is an advancement that underscores the intensive efforts by Pyongyang to strengthen the capability and functionality of its missiles.
Experts think that the greater impetus might enable the use of multiple warheads by a single missile, a capability that would complicate use by missile defence systems to intercept any incoming threat. These developments are tightly connected with the creation of nuclear-tipped an intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which North Korea has been testing on a regular basis in recent years.
According to Kim, the test was a significant step towards taking the strategic military muscle of the country to the next level. His comments come after a recent speech where he reinstated on his plan to cement his position to be a nuclear power and condemned United States on its international activities.
Some observers say that North Korea continues to encounter technical problems, such as survival of warheads on atmospheric re-entry but others think that the nation has gone a long way because of decades of consistent funding in its missile and nuclear research.