North Korea's Kim inspects solid-fuel engine, new tank as Pyongyang steps up military development

By Kyu-seok Shim

SEOUL, March 29 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a ground test of a solid-fuel rocket engine made with carbon-fibre materials, as well as inspections of special operations forces training and a new main battle tank, state media KCNA said on Sunday.

KCNA said the new high-thrust solid‑fuel engine had a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons and that the ground test formed part of a new five-year defence development plan aimed at upgrading the country’s strategic strike capabilities.

Kim was quoted as saying the test was of major significance for modernising North Korea’s strategic forces.

North Korea has in recent months stepped up a series of weapons demonstrations and military inspections, highlighting efforts to modernise both its conventional forces and its missile arsenal despite international sanctions.

In separate reports, KCNA said Kim also inspected a special operations forces training base, stressing the need for intense peacetime training to prepare for modern warfare, and outlined plans to reorganise the country’s special operations units.

Kim also attended tests of a new main battle tank, with KCNA quoting him as claiming its active protection system was capable of intercepting nearly all existing anti-tank weapons and that the tank was unmatched globally.

At a rare ruling party congress held in February, Kim unveiled a new five-year plan that reaffirmed continued development of nuclear weapons, while calling for a broad upgrade of the country’s military capabilities.

The country has focused in particular on solid-fuel missile technology, which analysts say allows for faster launch preparation and greater survivability compared with liquid-fuel systems.

Analysts and regional governments also pointed to new tank and combined-arms drills as part of Pyongyang’s effort to adapt its military doctrine to modern warfare, drawing lessons from recent conflicts and emphasising integration across ground and missile forces.

South Korea and the United States say they are closely monitoring North Korea’s weapons development.