North Korea Tests High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Missile Engine

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the ninth and final ground test of a new high-thrust, solid-fuel missile engine made with composite carbon fiber material, which is expected to power the next-generation Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The engine produces 1,971 kilonewtons of thrust and represents a significant advancement in North Korea's nuclear strategic forces, allowing for quicker and more concealed missile launches compared to liquid-fueled engines. Kim described the development as a "significant change" in expanding and strengthening the country's nuclear arsenal, emphasizing its strategic importance amid stalled nuclear talks with the U.S. This milestone follows last year's test of the Hwasong-19 solid-fuel missile, and the completion of this engine is set to accelerate the Hwasong-20 program. The development was led by the Missile Administration and the Chemical Materials Research Center, with the latter located in Hamhung, and North Korea has awarded state commendations to key officials involved. Kim's push for advanced missile capabilities continues to heighten concerns about North Korea's ability to strike the U.S. mainland and its allies.