PYONGYANG: North Korea has developed and successfully carried out tests of a new type of solid-fuel engine for its medium-range ballistic missiles, official media reported on Wednesday.
Earlier, Pyongyang had said a Russian delegation led by natural resources minister Alexander Kozlov was visiting North Korea to have discussions on cooperation in economy, science, trade and technology.
Ukraine and its allies have expressed concern over the growing military collaboration between N. Korea and Russia especially after Kim Jong Un’s met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September.
Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that Pyongyang has developed new-type high-thrust solid-fuel engines for medium range ballistic missiles again.
The country also carried out the first ground jet tests of the first-stage engine and the second-stage engine on November 11 and 14.
According to experts solid-fuel missiles normally have a higher level of operational ease and safety, as compared to liquid-fuel arms.
Solid-fuel missiles are difficult to destroy
Solid-fuel missiles are difficult to find and destroy, as well as quicker to use as they don’t need to be fueled before launching.
Testing advanced solid-fuel missile is North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s major objective in the military modernization campaign.
In April, Pyongyang successfully tested its first solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles.
KCNA said that the latest tests show development of the new-type IRBM system.
Russia and North Korea are both facing international sanctions, the former for its war on Ukraine and the latter for its nuclear arms and missile programme.
South Korea has claimed that Pyongyang is providing Moscow with arms in exchange for Russian space technology.
