North Korea: Pyongyang agrees pact with Moscow – and tests new rocket engines

2023-11-16T01:23:37.016Z

Highlights: North Korea: Pyongyang agrees pact with Moscow – and tests new rocket engines. The US accuses North Korea of supplying Russia with military equipment for the war with Ukraine. In return, Russia is helping North Korea to expand its military capabilities. North Korea's missile program, like its nuclear weapons, is prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions. The latest tests are essential for improving the military's strategic offensive capabilities, given the serious and unstable security environment the country is facing and the "malicious" collusion of its enemies.

The regime in Pyongyang doesn't exactly have many friends in the world. This makes announcements like this one all the more important: North Korea wants to deepen cooperation with Russia.

Enlarge image

Dictator Kim Jong Un in front of military equipment (March 2022)

Photo: AP

Russia and North Korea want to expand their cooperation. Representatives of both countries have agreed on this, the North Korean news agency KCNA reported on Thursday. "At the meeting, the measures to revive and expand multifaceted bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields, such as trade, economy, science and technology, were discussed and confirmed in detail," the report said. A protocol had also been signed.

According to KCNA, the negotiations were led by North Korea's Minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Yun Jong Ho, in Pyongyang on Wednesday. The Russian delegation was led by the Minister of Resources, Alexander Kozlov.

The US accuses North Korea of supplying Russia with military equipment for the war with Ukraine. In return, Russia is helping North Korea to expand its military capabilities. North Korea and Russia have denied any form of arms deals.

Tests of "new solid propellant engines" reported

North Korean state media also reported on Wednesday that the country had successfully conducted tests of "new high-thrust solid-propellant engines" for intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs). The test provided a reliable guarantee of reliable acceleration of the development of the new IRBM system," KCNA said. The latest tests are essential for improving the military's strategic offensive capabilities, given the serious and unstable security environment the country is facing and the "malicious" collusion of its enemies.

According to military analysts, solid-propellant rockets are easier and safer to use, require less logistical support, are harder to detect and have a longer lifespan than liquid-propellant missiles. This year, North Korea tested its first solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) – the largest category of ballistic missiles – and is also using this technology for a range of smaller weapons. North Korea's missile program, like its nuclear weapons, is prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions.

jok/Reuters

North Korea: Pyongyang agrees pact with Moscow – and tests new rocket engines

Tests of "new solid propellant engines" reported

Trends 24h

Latest