North Korea says it has tested engines for a missile capable of reaching the US mainland

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the testing of an advanced high-thrust solid-fuel engine as part of the country's strategic arsenal development, saying the engine represents a significant boost to the country's military-strategic capabilities, North Korean state media reported today.

Solid-fuel engines provide high propulsive power and allow for faster launch procedures. According to experts, this engine is intended to equip the new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missiles, which were unveiled in October last year and could reach the US mainland.

The test is in line with Kim's stated goal of acquiring more agile, harder-to-detect missiles that will target the United States and its allies, but some experts believe the North Koreans may be exaggerating their claim about their capability.

North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported today that Kim had observed the engine test. It said the engine's maximum thrust was 2.500 kilotons, significantly higher than the 1.970 kilotons reported for a similar solid-fuel engine test in September.

KCNA said the test was carried out as part of the country's five-year weapons development plan aimed at improving "strategic strike weapons," a term that refers to nuclear-capable ballistic missiles and other weapons.

Kim said the latest engine test was of great significance in raising the country's strategic military power to the highest level, KCNA reported, which did not say when the test was conducted or where.

North Korea's report on its latest test could be a "bluff" as it failed to provide key information such as the total burn time of the engine, a researcher at the South Korean Institute of Science and Technology said.

North Korea's nuclear and missile programs are under United Nations sanctions. Pyongyang justifies these programs by threats against the United States and its allies.