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This photo released Friday by the official Korean Central News Agency shows a high-thrust solid-fuel motor test to develop a new weapon at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in Tongchang-ri, North Korea, Thursday. Yonhap

Harder-to-detect solid-fuel ICBMs are threat to anti-missile system: experts

By Jung Min-ho

North Korea has tested a high-thrust solid-fuel motor that analysts say could allow quicker and harder-to-detect launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) with the apparent aim of undermining ― and ultimately incapacitating ― South Korea and the U.S.' anti-missile system.

The missile engine test, which was conducted Thursday under the supervision of leader Kim Jong-un, provided a "scientific and technological guarantee for the development of another new type strategic weapon system," the official Korean Central News Agency claimed Friday.

Kim praised the success of the test, saying he expects a new strategic weapon to be built "in the shortest span of time," the broadcaster reported.

Experts believe he was likely referring to a solid-fuel ICBM, which he vowed to develop at a major ruling Workers' Party conference in 2021. The ICBM type that requires a shorter time to launch will challenge South Korea and the U.S.' joint missile defense system, or kill chain, a preemptive strike system that relies on the ability to detect imminent attacks from the North.