North Korea says it tested a new missile engine designed to power weapons capable of reaching the United States, according to the Associated Press, which cited North Korean state media
Leader Kim Jong Un observed the test of a solid-fuel engine intended for long-range missiles, state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported
North Korean officials said the engine produced 2,500 kilonewtons of thrust, up from about 1,970 kilonewtons in a similar test in September. They described the development as a step toward strengthening “strategic strike” capabilities, a term used for nuclear-capable weapons.
North Korea did not say when or where the test took place. Independent observers have not verified the results.
Solid-fuel engines give missiles key advantages. They allow faster launches and greater mobility than liquid-fuel systems, which require fueling before liftoff. That makes them harder to detect and intercept.
Some experts questioned the claim.
Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute, said the announcement could be “bluffing” because North Korea did not release key technical details, including how long the engine can burn, according to the Associated Press.
North Korea has carried out multiple intercontinental ballistic missile tests in recent years and has demonstrated potential range to reach the U.S. mainland. Some analysts say the country still faces technical challenges, including protecting warheads during atmospheric reentry.
Others dispute that assessment, pointing to years of sustained investment in missile and nuclear programs.
The test comes as North Korea continues to expand its weapons capabilities after nuclear talks with President Donald Trump ended without an agreement in 2019.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, U.S. officials have warned that North Korea’s weapons programs — including missile development and international arms networks — pose an ongoing threat to the United States and its allies.
Analysts say more powerful solid-fuel engines could allow North Korea to build smaller, more mobile missiles, including systems capable of carrying multiple warheads.
The latest test signals Pyongyang’s continued focus on advancing long-range strike capabilities, even as questions remain about how close it is to deploying reliable systems capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
