North Korea tests potent rocket motor

Enormous thrust experienced during North Korea's rocket engine test

In a significant development, North Korea has reportedly entered an unprecedented military cooperation agreement with Russia. According to reports, this agreement could potentially see North Korea receiving foreign currency, military technology, and security guarantees from Moscow.

The test of the new solid-fuel engine, said to be for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), took place at the Academy of Chemical Materials in Pyongyang, North Korea. Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, personally attended the test, which was described by the Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's government's central organ, as "the strategically most significant success in the modernization of defense technology."

The engine, with a maximum thrust of 1,971 kN (kilonewtons), is exceptionally high even by international standards. Solid-fuel rockets are considered a particularly serious threat due to their ease of transport and quick deployment.

This cooperation agreement comes after Kim Jong Un's first visit to China in six years, where he met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Kim Jong Un also pledged to strengthen the relationship with China.

In recent years, North Korea has not publicly signed new military cooperation agreements with other states. However, it has maintained close military interactions and symbolic participation in events with China and Russia, such as Kim Jong-un attending celebrations in Beijing alongside President Vladimir Putin. The United States and South Korea continue joint military exercises but without direct military cooperation agreements with North Korea.

Interestingly, approximately 13,000 soldiers from North Korea are reported to be supporting Russia in the Ukraine war. The exact terms of the cooperation agreement between North Korea and Russia are not specified, leaving many questions unanswered.

It is important to note that the claims about the test cannot be independently verified. As always, it is crucial to approach such news with a critical eye and wait for official confirmation.