North Korea Tests New Rocket Engine... "Developing Solid-Fuel ICBM"

North Korea "Successful First Ignition Test of 140tf Solid Fuel Engine"
Switch to Solid Fuel... Avoiding ROK-US Reconnaissance, Neutralizing Kill Chain
Experts Say "Likely to Develop Solid-Fuel ICBM After Testing"

The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 16th that Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, supervised a ground test of a high-power solid-fuel engine at the West Sea Satellite Launch Station on the morning of December 15, and the test was successful.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] North Korea announced on the 16th that it has succeeded in the first ground static test of a high-thrust rocket engine. It appears to have tested the performance of a new engine intended for the development of ballistic missiles or various satellite launch vehicles. Experts analyzed that North Korea seems to have started developing a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the same day, "A significant test of strategic importance was conducted," stating, "On the morning of the 15th, the first ground static test of a 140tf (ton-force, thrust capable of lifting 140 tons) high-thrust solid-fuel engine was successfully carried out at the West Sea Satellite Launching Station."

The test of the new high-thrust rocket engine was conducted at the West Sea Satellite Launching Station in Dongchang-ri, Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province. Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, personally supervised the site. Jo Yong-won, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and Kim Je-sik, Deputy Director of the Party Central Committee, accompanied him.

The West Sea Satellite Launching Station is considered a key facility for North Korea's ICBM development. This was Kim Jong-un's first visit to the site in nine months since March.

During his previous visit, Kim Jong-un instructed, "Modernize and expand this site so that various carrier rockets, including military reconnaissance satellites and multipurpose satellites, can be launched."

The news agency claimed regarding the performance of the rocket tested this time, "The test results confirmed that all technical indicators, including the engine's thrust, specific impulse, combustion characteristics, operation time, and thrust vector control characteristics, matched the design values, and its reliability and safety were scientifically and rigorously verified."

North Korea has previously claimed that vector control technology was applied to submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), which is interpreted as having the capability to freely control thrust and direction.

The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 16th that Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, supervised a ground test of a high-power solid-fuel engine at the West Sea Satellite Launch Station on the morning of December 15, and the test was successful.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Experts analyzed this test as part of the process of switching ICBM fuel from liquid to solid.

North Korea has used liquid fuel for medium- and long-range ballistic missiles but presented a five-year weapons system development plan at the 8th Party Congress to address limitations.

A representative task among these is the development of a solid-fuel ICBM. If a high-thrust solid-fuel missile is developed, it is expected to be able to launch anytime and anywhere while evading South Korea-U.S. reconnaissance and detection.

Yang Moo-jin, President of the University of North Korean Studies, said, "It appears that steady technological development has been ongoing, and the current timing was chosen as the launch time to produce results by the end of the year," adding, "It is expected that, starting with a solid-type medium-range ballistic missile (ICBM), continuous thrust tests will lead to a solid-type ICBM."

He also added, "By switching to a solid engine, North Korea aims to increase speed and stealth to exclude South Korea-U.S. reconnaissance and detection and neutralize South Korea's kill chain. Ahead of the year-end, it seems to be strengthening regime cohesion through achievements in the defense sector while also pressuring South Korea and the U.S. by realizing the legalization of nuclear forces."

Shin Jong-woo, Secretary General of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, said, "North Korea revealed two types of mobile launchers presumed to be solid-fuel ICBMs at the military parade commemorating the 105th birthday of Kim Il-sung in April 2017," adding, "This test appears to be an intention to develop an ICBM equipped with a new high-thrust solid engine, applying high-efficiency technology that maintains engine efficiency while enabling thrust conversion."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.