North Korea has conducted a test of a newly developed high-thrust engine at its Tongchang-ri rocket launch station, with Kim Jong-un claiming the successful test represented “a new birth” of the nation’s rocket industry.



The engine will help the country achieve world-class satellite launch capability, the official news agency KCNA said, indicating the test involved a new type of rocket engine for long-range missiles.

After personally overseeing the test Kim noted: “The development and completion of a new-type high-thrust engine would help consolidate the scientific and technological foundation to match the world-level satellite delivery capability in the field of outer space development”, according to KCNA.

Rocket engines are easily re-purposed for use in missiles.

Photo: #DPRK leader Kim Jong Un hails nation’s test of new high-performance rocket engine as “a new birth” (CFP Photo) pic.twitter.com/tYOcSPWS3B — CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) March 19, 2017

Outside observers say the nuclear-armed Pyongyang’s space programme is a fig leaf for weapons tests.

The United States and China have pledged to work together to get the North to take “a different course” and move away from its weapons programmes after US secretary of state Rex Tillerson met his Chinese counterpart on Saturday.

North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests and a series of missile launches and is believed by experts and government officials to be working to develop nuclear-warhead missiles that can reach the US.

Kim Jong-un has said the country is close to a test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

“He [Kim] noted that the success made in the current test marked a great event of historic significance as it declared a new birth of the Juche-based rocket industry,” KCNA said. Juche refers to North Korea’s homegrown ideology.

“He emphasised that the whole world will soon witness what eventful significance the great victory won today carries,” KCNA said.

Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report