Seoul, Korea
–
Kim Jong Eun watched tests of North Korea’s new high-thrasing rocket engine on Monday. This is the event where Pyongyang tests the Hwasong-20, the setting for testing its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The test took place less than a week after Kim traveled to Beijing for a massive military parade, where she shared a parade stand with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The visit likely encouraged him to pursue a nuclear weapons program, revitalizing relations with China, which had reinvigorated its relationship with his country’s longstanding political and economic protection facilities while standing with his new military alliance, Russia.
According to a report from the state-run Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), Monday’s test was the ninth and final test of a new engine made from solid fuel from carbon fiber composites.
Solid-fueled rockets are more stable and can move more easily to avoid detection before launch, which can start in minutes, experts say – giving enemies time to detect and neutralize weapons compared to liquid fuel missiles that may require several hours before launch.
“The successful testing of the engines is a major change in the expansion and strengthening of North Korea’s nuclear strategy,” the KCNA report said.
Kim was visiting a factory that was built last week before the rocket engine traveled to Beijing. The KCNA report at the time said it had discussed plans for “serial production” of the new rocket engine.
It will be used at the Hwasong-19 ICBM, which was successfully tested last October and exhibited the range for hitting targets anywhere in the US.
The Rocket Test came less than a week after Kim and China’s meeting with XI were deemed important.
During their first summit in six years, XI and Kim pledged to deepen their strategic coordination, reaffirming that their commitment to bilateral friendship will not waver.
And for the first time at the Xi-kim conference, the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was not mentioned in official Chinese readings.
This omission raised concerns that China quietly abandons its long-standing goal of a nuclear-free peninsula and implicitly accepts North Korea’s nuclear state.
Kim’s illegal nuclear weapons program has transformed North Korea into the world’s most strongly approved nation.
However, Russia, and to a lesser extent, China has become less openly critical of its program in recent years as tensions with the West have risen.
Putin has embraced North Korea when he slams Pyongyang for military hardware, including missiles, and troops supporting the war with Ukraine.
Last year, Kim signed a mutual defense agreement with Putin. This is because both countries have committed to using all available means to provide immediate military aid in the event that other countries are attacked.
Experts said China’s clear acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear situation could be in response to the powerful Putin Kim’s connection.
Shuxian Luo, assistant professor of Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii in Manoa, said:
“This meeting looks like a Chinese bid to reassert itself as North Korea’s top patron.
News about the rocket test were released in line with the 77th day of the foundations of the North Korean Democratic Republic. This is the anniversary of Pyongyang’s past weapon testing.
