North Korea claimed that new technology was used in yesterday’s solid-fuel missile test. If true, it means launches could become easier, faster and less disruptive for the country.
Launched near Pyongyang, the missile flew 1,000 kilometers and crashed into the Sea of Japan, triggering warnings on the island of Hokkaido. According to North Korean state media, this “made a nuclear counterattack more effective and facilitated a military strike.”
According to the propaganda message, the test was carried out by Kim Jong-un himself. He believes that it is necessary to expand the nuclear arsenal so that “an insurmountable threat instills extreme fear in the enemy.” He says of his opponents that “their decisions will make them despair”.
leap
North Korea has conducted around 100 missile tests in the past year and a half. According to Pyongyang, this is due to close military cooperation between South Korea and the United States. These two countries held the biggest military exercise of recent years last month.
This new missile, the Hwasong 18, would have represented a breakthrough for North Korean forces if it had actually flown solid fuel. So far, the country has used only liquid fuel, which means the rocket has to cumbersomely refuel just before launch.
A solid propellant rocket is easier to move and deploy faster and more discreetly. Therefore, the launch preparations will be less noticeable in satellite images than they are now. Last year, the country already tested a solid fuel engine in a test setting.
Source: NOS

Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.