North Korea: The state media has said North Korea has successfully held static tests of a new solid-fuel engine for its banned intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM).
The country “has developed new-type high-thrust solid-fuel engines for intermediate ballistic missiles again, which are of important strategic significance,” the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) stated.
“The test provided a sure guarantee for reliably accelerating the development of the new-type IRBM system,” KCNA added.
In recent years, North Korea has conducted numerous weapons trials, revealing its initial solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). These actions align with leader Kim Jong Un’s push to upgrade the nation’s military capabilities, despite UN sanctions prohibiting ballistic missile tests.
North Korea’s General Missile Bureau stated that the recent tests were needed to increase the strategic offensive capabilities of the military, “the grave and unstable security environment facing the country,” and the “vicious” collusion of its enemies, KCNA said.
UN member states enforcing the Korean War armistice expressed worry this week about Russia and China aiding North Korea’s military growth, potentially enabling Pyongyang to bypass UN sanctions and strengthen its capabilities.
The US mentioned that North Korea is sending weapons to Russia, aimed at use in Ukraine, while also alleging that Moscow is offering technical military assistance to Pyongyang.
Meanwhile, South Korea has revealed that North Korea is attempting to launch a military spy satellite into orbit, a feat it has failed at twice before. Additionally, South Korea has accused Moscow of aiding North Korea by providing space technology for this endeavour.
RECOMMENDED | North Korea embeds nuclear policy in constitution
