North's missile engine test suggests efforts to develop MIRV tech, strengthen ability to strike U.S.
Published: 29 Mar. 2026, 16:49
Updated: 29 Mar. 2026, 17:39
![North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversees a ground test of a high-thrust solid-fuel missile engine using a composite carbon fiber material in this photo provided by Rodong Sinmun on March 29. [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/29/352ffee3-8591-4ce5-9c7c-800cf0250a5c.jpg)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversees a ground test of a high-thrust solid-fuel missile engine using a composite carbon fiber material in this photo provided by Rodong Sinmun on March 29. [NEWS1]
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a test of a new, more powerful missile engine for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), state media reported Sunday, in a move analysts say points to efforts to develop multiple-warhead capabilities and enhance nuclear strike capacity against the United States.
Rodong Sinmun reported on Sunday that Kim oversaw "a ground jet test of a high-thrust solid-fuel engine using the composite carbon fiber material." A high-thrust solid-fuel engine is a powerful rocket engine that uses solid fuel and lightweight carbon fiber, making the missile more powerful while keeping it lighter.
The report did not disclose the exact date of the test, but observers believe Kim carried out the inspection shortly after Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited North Korea on Wednesday and Thursday.
“The test of great significance in putting the country's strategic military muscle on the highest level fully conforms with the national strategy and the military demand for modernizing the strategic forces,” Kim said. "The development trend of the DPRK's defense capabilities, which has already entered a significant phase of change in the building of the strategic forces, would be further transformed and accelerated by the development and introduction of better components with superior economic and technical effectiveness as proven in the test."
DPRK is the acronym for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the official name of North Korea.
Despite North Korea’s claims that it already possesses ICBMs capable of striking the entire U.S. mainland, including the Hwasong-18 and Hwasong-19 with a range of 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles), analysts say the focus on a new engine suggests efforts to develop multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology, which allows a single ICBM to carry multiple nuclear warheads.
“The test shows North Korea’s intent to disrupt the U.S. missile defense system through MIRV capability and to secure ICBMs with global strike range,” said Hong Min, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
Rodong Sinmun claimed the new engine generates a maximum thrust of 2,500 kilonewtons, about 26 percent higher than the 1,971 kilonewtons recorded during a solid-fuel engine test in September last year. Experts say the carbon fiber materials mentioned by North Korea can make missiles lighter and more powerful because they are both lightweight and heat-resistant.
The newspaper also described the test as " a part of the national defense development plan in the period of the new five-year plan, which set the steady upgrading of strategic strike means as a major goal."
The plan aligns with goals Kim outlined at the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in February, where he called for the development of land- and submarine-launched ICBM systems.
![A tank test organized by North Korea's Academy of Defence Sciences is seen in this photo provided by Rodong Sinmun on March 29. [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/29/50a3c9de-a2af-48c0-b60f-913c327b74fd.jpg)
A tank test organized by North Korea's Academy of Defence Sciences is seen in this photo provided by Rodong Sinmun on March 29. [NEWS1]
"Using carbon fiber can reduce the size and weight of missiles," said Lee Chun-geun, an honorary fellow at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation and Planning. "It also allows missiles to be placed on smaller mobile launchers, making them easier to move and harder to survive attacks, and helps in developing submarine-launched ballistic missiles, which must fit into small spaces."
These advances could strengthen North Korea’s ability to launch a nuclear counterattack, including surprise strikes from underground or underwater.
Kim also inspected a test of a new tank defense system at a facility run by the Academy of Defense Sciences. Photos released by state media showed the tank shooting down incoming missiles and rockets.
"Today's test proved that the functionality of our new-type main battle tank's interceptor system is fully equipped with a thorough capability for destroying almost all existing anti-tank means," Kim said.
![North Korean soldiers train in this photo provided by Rodong Sinmun on March 29. [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/29/b851546e-01da-4b68-992d-064f25376e55.jpg)
North Korean soldiers train in this photo provided by Rodong Sinmun on March 29. [NEWS1]
In addition, Kim reviewed training exercises of special operations forces under the Operations Bureau of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army.
“By inspecting a solid-fuel engine test, a new tank system and special operations training at the same time, Kim showed he is trying to strengthen North Korea’s military across key areas,” said Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies. “It also suggests he wants to move beyond defense and develop the ability to carry out pre-emptive attacks.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY CHUNG YEONG-GYO, SHIM SEOK-YONG [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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