North Korea conducts ground engine test for new hypersonic missile

North Korea successfully conducted a ground jet test of a solid-fuel engine for a new type of intermediate-range hypersonic missile, state-run media Rodong Sinmun reported Wednesday.

North Korea conducts a ground jet test of a solid-fuel engine for a new type of intermediate-range hypersonic missile at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

North Korea successfully conducted a ground jet test of a solid-fuel engine for a new type of intermediate-range hypersonic missile, state-run media Rodong Sinmun reported Wednesday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the test, which took place Tuesday, by the North’s Missile Administration at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground, according to Rodong Sinmun.

“The respected Comrade Kim Jong-un said that the military strategic value of this weapon system is appreciated as important as an ICBM from the security environment of our state and the operational demand of the People's Army, and enemies know better about it,” Rodong Sinmun reported.

ICBM refers to an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The test came a day after North Korea conducted short-range missile tests on Monday, where it fired at least three short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea as Seoul kicked off the third Summit for Democracy on the same day. It was the second ballistic missile launch this year, with the first taking place on Jan. 14.

On Monday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) issued a statement that “strongly condemned” the latest missile launches, calling them “a clear provocation that imperils peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]