U.S. Officials Suggest North Korea Has Tested Intercontinental Missile Engine

Reuters reports, citing U.S. officials, that their assessments indicate North Korea has once again conducted an engine test likely intended for use in intercontinental ballistic missiles. In response to this report, South Korea has also announced that it is closely monitoring North Korea's latest steps in developing its missile program in cooperation with the United States. Reuters has reported that U.S. evaluations suggest the recent test in North Korea is the latest of its kind for the 'smallest part of an intercontinental missile engine.' A government official in Washington confirmed the report regarding the engine test but refrained from providing details about its type and potential use in intercontinental missiles. Another official stated that, in his view, this event occurred within the last 24 hours (from Thursday to Friday, June 22). The release of this report comes shortly after Donald Trump, the President of the United States, warned that 'a broad conflict' with North Korea is likely due to that country's military programs. However, the U.S. government emphasized that its initial intention is to increase sanctions and economic pressures, not to launch an attack or engage in military conflict. According to a statement released by the Chinese government on Friday, June 22, Yang Jiechi, a senior diplomat and member of China's 'National Council' inner circle, told Mr. Trump during their meeting at the White House that Beijing is willing to 'maintain interactions and communications' with the U.S. to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Although most experts and observers believe that North Korea has not yet succeeded in developing intercontinental missiles and is still unable to place a nuclear warhead on such missiles, it has made 'progress' in this direction. In March of last year, Pyongyang tested a new engine. At that time, officials from South Korea's Ministry of Defense stated that assessments of the new engine test indicated 'significant progress' in North Korea's missile industries. North Korea possesses nuclear weapons and its leader has threatened the United States and South Korea with a preemptive nuclear strike. The United Nations Security Council has prohibited nuclear tests and ballistic missile tests in that country. Pyongyang claims that U.S. and allied military exercises in East Asia are rehearsals for an attack on the country and for overthrowing its regime. Washington has rejected these statements. Concurrently with the release of the Reuters report, Yonhap, South Korea's official news agency, also quoted the government of that country as saying that Seoul is monitoring and reviewing recent actions in North Korea. The Ministry of Unification of the two Koreas, which is the main government body in Seoul regarding North Korean affairs, stated that they are 'closely monitoring events in cooperation with the U.S.' North Korea has not yet reacted to these statements and has not issued a statement regarding the possible test.