North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continued his military activities by observing a test site for a high-thrust solid-fuel engine capable of being mounted on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
The regime’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on its March 29 edition that a ground test of a high-thrust solid-fuel engine using carbon fiber composite materials was conducted under Kim’s supervision. The newspaper stated that the new engine’s maximum thrust reached 2,500 kN (kilonewtons), approximately 26% higher than the 1,971 kN achieved during tests last September.
Kim reportedly praised the test, saying that this trial holds immense strategic importance in elevating the nation’s military capabilities to the highest level, fully meeting the national strategy for modernizing strategic forces and military requirements.
The front page also covered Kim’s visit to a special forces training base. He stressed the need for rigorous training aligned with modern warfare trends and emphasized the role of female special forces operators. Following a demonstration of combat drills, Kim posed for photos with the troops and commanders.
On the second page, it was reported that Kim observed a tank capability evaluation test conducted by the Defense Science Institute. He expressed satisfaction, claiming that this tank is unparalleled globally, and added that the new tank’s defense system is capable of neutralizing virtually all existing anti-tank weapons.
The fourth page reported that a delegation led by the president of Russia’s TASS news agency arrived in Pyongyang on March 28. The paper noted that Park Kang-ho, vice president of the Korean Central News Agency, and Vladimir Topeha, the acting Russian ambassador to North Korea, greeted the delegation at Pyongyang International Airport.
The fifth page highlighted the importance of ecological restoration projects, including wastewater treatment and waste management. The newspaper cited Kim’s directive emphasizing the crucial need for comprehensive anti-pollution measures in environmental protection efforts, urging officials and citizens to contribute actively.
The sixth page discussed North Korea-China relations in the context of the upcoming April Spring event commemorating Kim Il Sung’s birthday (April 15). The paper highlighted a Chinese art troupe preparing for the event, stating that the ongoing artistic exchanges between the nations serve as a testament to the enduring friendship between North Korea and China.