North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the final ground test of a new high-thrust solid-fuel rocket engine designed for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), marking a major milestone in the country’s strategic weapons program. State media described the development as a “significant change” in expanding North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.

The test, conducted on Monday by the Missile Administration in collaboration with a chemical materials research institute, achieved a maximum thrust of 1,971 kilonewtons using composite carbon fiber materials. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), this was the ninth and final test in the engine’s development phase.

Kim praised the achievement, stating that the engine would be integrated into the Hwasong-20 ICBM, a next-generation missile unveiled during his visit to the research institute last week. Officials involved in the project are expected to receive state commendations.

The Hwasong-20 follows the Hwasong-19, which was last tested on October 31, 2024. Analysts say the new engine could significantly enhance North Korea’s ability to launch missiles quickly and discreetly, given the advantages of solid-fuel systems over liquid-fuel counterparts.

Despite the technical progress, questions remain about North Korea’s mastery of re-entry technology for nuclear warheads. Experts caution that while the country has demonstrated increasing range and mobility, it has yet to prove the reliability of its warhead delivery systems.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that they are monitoring the situation closely in coordination with the United States. Analysts suggest that Pyongyang’s continued weapons development is aimed at pressuring Washington to recognize it as a nuclear power and to gain leverage in future negotiations.

The test comes amid deepening ties between North Korea, Russia, and China. Kim recently attended a World War II commemoration in Beijing alongside Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

KCNA reports that Xi sent a congratulatory message to Kim, calling for enhanced strategic communication between the two nations.