North Korea has tested an engine for a missile capable of reaching the United States
North Korea has announced another test of a ballistic missile engine capable of allegedly striking the United States and its allies.
This was reported by the Associated Press.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called the test an important achievement that strengthens the country’s military capabilities.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, the engine is made of a carbon-fiber-based composite material, and its maximum thrust is 2,500 kilotons. For comparison, in September 2025, Pyongyang reported a thrust of 1,970 kilotons. The test took place as part of a five-year program to modernize "strategic strike capabilities"—a term the DPRK typically uses to refer to missiles with nuclear warheads.
Kim Jong Un emphasized that these tests are “of great significance for bringing the country’s strategic military capabilities to the highest level,” but Pyongyang did not disclose where or when the test took place.
The lack of specific technical details has raised skepticism among some international experts. Lee Chung-goon, a senior research fellow at South Korea’s Institute for Science and Technology Policy, noted that the test report could be a “bluff” since key information—such as the engine’s burn time—has not been disclosed.
According to him, following the September test, North Korea planned to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a new solid-fuel engine, but this has not yet occurred. Potential technical delays and efforts to develop a more advanced engine may have involved assistance from Russia.
Other observers note that the country still faces technological challenges, particularly regarding ensuring the survival of warheads during re-entry into the atmosphere. At the same time, ongoing work on nuclear and missile programs means Pyongyang’s potential progress should not be underestimated.
Lee Chung-gun added that more powerful and efficient solid-fuel engines would allow the DPRK to develop smaller ICBMs for launch from submarines or mobile platforms. Other experts suggest that Pyongyang may be seeking to increase engine power to carry multiple warheads on a single missile and improve the likelihood of overcoming the U.S. missile defense system.
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