North Korea successfully ignited a high-thrust solid engine. Experts: Threat from the US mainland has escalated

(Pyongyang/Seoul News) North Korea announced that it has successfully conducted a test of a high-thrust solid-fuel engine, with the maximum thrust increasing by over 10% compared to last year. Analysts point out that this move indicates that North Korea is accelerating the upgrade of its intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities, aiming to further enhance its strategic deterrence capability against the United States by shortening the launch preparation time and developing multi-warhead technology.

The Korean Central News Agency reported on Sunday (March 29th) that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally visited the site to inspect the ground ignition test of a high-power solid-fuel engine using carbon fiber composite materials. The report did not specify the exact date and location of the test, merely emphasizing that the related project is part of the new five-year national defense development plan.

Defense experts have analyzed that solid fuel engines can enhance the survivability of missiles. Compared with traditional liquid fuel missiles, solid fuel missiles do not require temporary fueling before launch, and the preparation time is extremely short. They have greater concealment and suddenness, making it more difficult for enemy anti-missile systems to detect and intercept them.

This is the second time that North Korea has confirmed conducting such key technology tests since last September. It is reported that the maximum thrust of the upgraded engine has reached 2,500 kilonewtons, which is approximately 26% higher than the 1,971 kilonewtons data disclosed last year.

Hong Min, an analyst from the Korea Institute for National Unification, pointed out that this development indicates that North Korea is determined to possess missiles capable of striking global targets and the ability to bypass missile defense systems.

Kim Jong Un said during his inspection that North Korea's defense construction has entered a crucial stage of transformation, and he demanded that strategic military forces must achieve a "quality and quantity" leap.

Lee Ho-ling (transliteration), a researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, believes that North Korea has demonstrated the technology needed to launch missiles with lower-thrust engines capable of reaching the United States. The issue now is no longer whether the missiles can reach the United States, but whether they can carry multiple warheads.