Kim Jong Un: Engine breakthrough signals shift in North Korea’s defence

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said the successful development of a high-thrust carbon fiber solid-fuel engine “heralds a significant change” in expanding and strengthening the country’s nuclear strategic forces. 

The Missile Administration of the DPRK, together with the Academy of Chemical Materials, conducted a ground jet test of the engine on September 9. The test, which Kim personally oversaw, was the ninth and final ground trial in the engine’s development. Officials said the engine achieved a maximum thrust of 1,971 kilonewtons, Caliber.Az reports per DPRK state-run media.

He also described the development of the engine as a “strategic” achievement in the country’s defence modernisation. 

A decree was issued awarding commendations to the president of the Academy of Chemical Materials and the director of the Institute of Solid-Fuel Engine under the Missile Administration.

Among those present at the test were Kim Jong Sik, first vice department director of the Munitions Industry of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, along with senior officials, scientists, and engineers from the country’s missile research and production institutes.

By Sabina Mammadli