North Korea says it tested 'high-thrust solid-fuel motor' at satellite launching site

SEOUL - North Korea has tested a “high-thrust solid-fuel motor”, state media reported on Friday, as the isolated country seeks to develop a new strategic weapon and speed up its nuclear and missile programmes.

The static firing test, overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, was held on Thursday at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground, the official KCNA news agency said.

The test proved the motor’s reliability and stability, providing a “guarantee for the development of another new-type strategic weapon system”, KCNA added.

Experts say the test appears aimed at developing a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), given the thrust of the engine, which the North said was “the first of its kind” in the country.

North Korea has been working to build more solid-fuel missiles, which are more stable and can be launched with almost no warning or preparation time.

“Compared with liquid-propellant weapons, solid-fuel missiles are more mobile, quicker to launch, and easier to conceal and use during a conflict,” said Dr Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha University in Seoul. “Once deployed, the technology would make North Korea’s nuclear forces more versatile, survivable, and dangerous.” 

Dr Lim Eul-chul, a professor of North Korean studies at Kyungnam University in South Korea, said the latest test signals North Korea’s push to build more powerful ICBMs and submarine-launched ballisitc missiles (SLBMs). 

“We cannot rule out the possibility of the North test-firing an ICBM with a new solid fuel rocket next year,” he added.

Developing a solid-fuel ICBM was part of the North’s five military tasks rolled out at its key party meeting in 2021.

After overseeing the test, Mr Kim said “another important problem in carrying out the five priority tasks” was successfully solved, and expressed “expectation that another new-type strategic weapon would be made in the shortest span of time”, according to KCNA.

In one of the photos released by KCNA, Mr Kim was seen smiling with a cigarette in one hand as a large smoke cloud is visible behind him. 

North Korea has conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests in 2022,

including an intercontinental ballistic missile

capable of reaching the US mainland, despite international bans and sanctions.

A new report by the US-based Centre for International and Strategic Studies (CSIS) said commercial satellite imagery shows construction of what appears to be a horizontal engine test stand, describing it as the “first of its kind” at the Sohae station that would boost the facility’s capabilities.

“We are concerned about North Korea’s media report, and are monitoring its activities,” an official at South Korea’s unification ministry handling inter-Korea affairs said. 

The latest test comes as International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi is in Seoul for talks with South Korean officials during which he vowed an all-out effort to stop North Korea’s nuclear programme.

During his meeting with Mr Grossi, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed concerns over North Korea’s “race” to advance its nuclear and missile programmes, calling for the UN agency’s cooperation to deter Pyongyang from further provocations.

South Korean and US officials have said the North has completed preparations for a potential nuclear test, which would be the first since 2017. REUTERS