North Korea Carries Out “Successful” Ground Test of New Rocket Engine

North Korea has announced it carried out a “successful” ground test of a new rocket engine to launch satellites.

The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, asked scientists and engineers to make preparations for a satellite launch as soon as possible, KCNA reported.

It is the latest in a series of missile-related tests in 2016.

Meanwhile, the US and China have agreed to step up co-operation at the UN to address North Korea’s fifth nuclear test.

The underground nuclear test, conducted earlier this month, is thought to be North Korea’s most powerful yet.

The secretive country regularly makes claims about the progress of its nuclear and missile programs, but analysts say most of them are impossible to independently verify.

US and Chinese officials have started discussions on a possible UN sanctions resolution as a response, unnamed diplomats were quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying.

However, Beijing has not said directly whether it will support tougher steps against Pyongyang, the agency added.

China is North Korea’s main ally and trading partner, but has grown increasingly intolerant of its military actions and Kim Jong-un’s aggressive rhetoric.

Its support for toughened sanctions is crucial if they are to have any impact, but Beijing has repeatedly said that such steps are not the ultimate answer for the issue.

Kim Jong-un supervised the test at the Sohae satellite-launching site, KCNA reported.

That is where North Korea launched a rocket in February, reportedly carrying a satellite.

The engine tested would give the country “sufficient carrier capability for launching various kinds of satellites, including Earth observation satellite at a world level”, the report added.

Kim Jong-un, KCNA said, called for more rocket launches to turn the country into a “possessor of geostationary satellites in a couple of years to come.”

This was seen by observers as an indication that Pyongyang might soon launch another long-range rocket.

North Korea insists its space program is purely scientific in nature but the US, South Korea and even China say the rocket launches are aimed at developing inter-continental ballistic missiles.

UN Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from carrying out any nuclear or ballistic missile tests.