International News

SEOUL, (APP/AFP) – North Korea said Saturday
it had successfully tested an engine designed for an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) that would “guarantee” an eventual nuclear strike on the US mainland.
It was the latest in a series of claims by Pyongyang of significant
breakthroughs in both its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.
Outside experts have treated a number of the claims with scepticism,
suggesting the North Korean leadership is attempting to talk up its
achievements ahead of a showcase ruling party congress next month.
According to the North’s official KCNA news agency, the ground engine
test was ordered and personally monitored by leader Kim Jong-Un.
As soon as Kim flagged off the test, “the engine spewed out huge
flames with deafening boom”, KCNA said.
“The great success… provided a firm guarantee for mounting another
form of nuclear attack upon the US imperialists and other hostile forces,” Kim was quoted as saying.
Now North Korea “can tip new type inter-continental ballistic rockets
with more powerful nuclear warheads and keep any cesspool of evils in the earth including the US mainland within our striking range”, he added.
The North’s top newspaper Rodong Sinmun featured photos of Kim
overseeing the test on its front and second pages Saturday, and said the trial was reportedly conducted at the Sohae Space Centre.