• North Korea tests a new solid-fuel rocket engine for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
• The engine is a key component of the anticipated next-generation Hwasong-20 ICBM.
• Kim Jong Un describes the test as a "significant change" in enhancing North Korea's nuclear forces.
• The solid-fuel engine is expected to enable North Korea to carry heavier warheads with improved mobility.
• North Korea may become the world's fourth ICBM power, analysts suggest.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the successful test of a new solid-fuel rocket engine designed for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). He characterized the test as marking a "significant change in expanding and strengthening" North Korea's strategic nuclear capabilities, as reported by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency.

The test showcased an advanced engine constructed from carbon-fiber composites, capable of producing 1,971 kilonewtons of thrust. This development is noted as the final step in a series of ground tests aimed at enhancing the capabilities of North Korea's ICBM arsenal, with analysts indicating that the new engine could lead to significant advancements in missile technology South China Morning Post.

Kim Jong Un revealed that this engine would be utilized in the next-generation Hwasong-20 ICBM, which is currently under development. The successful test serves as a culmination of North Korea's modernization efforts in its defense technology, suggesting a strategic shift that could position Pyongyang as the fourth ICBM power after the United States, Russia, and China Al Jazeera, Anadolu Agency, and South China Morning Post.

The KCNA emphasized that this achievement not only reflects military advancement but may also have broader implications for regional security dynamics. Experts speculate that the potential debut of the Hwasong-20 could coincide with significant dates, such as military parades or international summits, showcasing North Korea's capabilities to the world South China Morning Post.

Observers note that the solid-fuel ICBM capabilities could allow for the launch of multiple warheads, increasing the complexity of any missile defense systems aimed at counteracting them. Kim Jong Un's remarks on the strategic importance of this test suggest that serious military assessments are in place to bolster North Korea's deterrent forces against perceived threats Anadolu Agency and South China Morning Post.