North Korea has reportedly conducted testing of a new rocket engine that could be used for satellite launch or for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The engine would help North Korea achieve world-class satellite-launch capability, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
The testing validated the new high-thrust missile engine's thrust power in the combustion chamber, the structural safety and reliability of the engine, and the movement of the turbine pump, CNN reported citing KCNA.
Seoul Institute for Far Eastern Studies analyst Kim Dong-yub was quoted by Reuters as saying: "This was a comprehensive test for the first-stage rocket for an ICBM, and that is why it was dangerous.
"It appears that North Korea has worked out much of its development of the first-stage rocket booster."
The test came as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited China to discuss the concerns associated with North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.
Tillerson is currently holding meetings with Japan, South Korea and China, according to The New York Times.
Commenting on the testing, South Korean defence ministry deputy spokesman Lee Jin-woo was quoted by media sources as saying: “Through this test, it is found that engine function has made meaningful progress but further analysis is needed for exact thrust and possible uses.”
