A
rocket is launched during a demonstration of a new large-calibre
multiple rocket launching system attended by North Korean leader Kim
Jong-un (not pictured) at an unknown location
KCNA via Reuters
South Korean President Park Geun-hye has ordered the
military to be on high alert after Seoul confirmed North Korea has
tested a solid-fuel rocket engine. Park urged the military to brace for
more provocation from the other side of the border.
Kim Sung-woo, chief presidential press secretary, told
reporters that the South Korean leader "instructed the military to be
fully ready to aggressively cope with North Korea's reckless
provocations".
Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un heralded his
country's ability to push for the rocket engine, propelled by solid fuel
— a significant advance in its nuclear strike capabilities. Though the
claims remain to be independently confirmed, Seoul officials have said the North has been pursuing the development of solid fuel for missiles.
"He [Kim] noted with great pleasure that the successful
test... helped boost the power of ballistic rockets capable of
mercilessly striking hostile forces," said a report by the regime-backed
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
"This is a historic and unforgettable day," Kim said, as he
monitored the tests of solid-fuel missiles. Rodong Sinmun, another
state-run mouthpiece, had carried pictures of Kim inspecting a
rocket-launching site.
The North's arsenal is known to have liquid-fuelled
missiles. But, it had not developed the technology of solid-fuelled
medium-range or long-range missiles — which have greater mobility and distinct advantages in military use.
The North has been making a series of claims over its
nuclear activities in the past few weeks. This is in addition to issuing
threats against the US and South Korea.
Pyongyang's latest acts are also in line with zealously developing
intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) in a strong show of defiance
against UN-led economic sanctions.
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