North Korea Tests Ballistic Missile Engine

North Korea on Saturday conducted the new inter-continental ballistic missile engine test at the Sohae Space Center.

The country’s leader Kim Jong Un was quoted as saying by North Korea’s Central News Agency (KCNA) that the new ballistic missile engine test was a "great success" and "provided a firm guarantee for mounting another form of nuclear attack upon the U.S. imperialists and other hostile forces and made it possible to have access to more powerful means capable of reacting to nukes in kind.”

North Korea has reportedly allocated 15.8 percent of the 2016 state budget for defense purposes. In March, North Korea conducted multiple short and medium-range rocket launches.

In response to North Korea's recent activities, South Korea and the United States have launched large-scale military drills in the region. The exercises, expected to last through April 30, include rehearsals of strikes on North Korea’s missile and nuclear facilities in case of war.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated after North Korea successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test in early January and put a satellite into orbit a month later, violating UN Security Council resolutions and triggering condemnation from the international community.