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

SEOUL: 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. Putin holds ‘constructive’ talks with US envoy Witkoff ahead of sanctions deadline: Kremlin 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. Oil rises as investors fear further Middle East escalation 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. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un reappointed as president of state affairs, KCNA says 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.

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