Kim Jong Un oversees the ground jet test of high-thrust solid-fuel engine in this undated photograph from the Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA)
North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, watched a ground test of a solid-fuel missile engine and saw new tanks put through their paces recently, the country’s official news agency reported Sunday.
The engine, made with carbon fiber materials, is part of a plan to steadily upgrade the country’s strategic strike capability, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The report provided no information on where and when the inspections took place.
“The South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are closely monitoring North Korean military’s weapon development trends,” South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said by text message Monday.
The engine test is of great significance in putting the country’s military muscle on the highest level, Kim said in the KCNA report.
The engine, more powerful than another tested in September, is designed for use in the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile North Korea is developing, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported Sunday.
Kim also observed a tank performance test, KCNA reported the same day.
North Korea’s new main battle tank is equipped with an interceptor system capable of destroying almost all anti-tank weapons, he said, according to the agency.
Kim said no tank in the world compares to the new tank, according to the agency.
North Korea has made several missile tests since December.
In January, Kim observed a test of an improved large-caliber multiple rocket launcher. Short-range missiles fell that day in the East Sea, or Sea of Japan, according to authorities in Japan and South Korea.
The regime launched multiple long-range cruise missiles on Dec. 28 and four days earlier fired several surface-to-air missiles.
On March 13, KCNA condemned Japan’s planned deployment of upgraded, long-range missiles capable of striking parts of North Korea.
The missile deployments are “undoubtably an extremely dangerous military act,” according to KCNA.
