An analysis released Tuesday of recent satellite imagery has confirmed reports that North Korea tested last week what could be the smallest stage of a rocket engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile.
The influential 38 North website, run by the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University, said the imagery "shows evidence of a recent small rocket engine test," though it was "not possible to confirm whether this test was for an ICBM engine" from the images alone.
Media reports last week citing unidentified U.S. officials said that the North had carried out a rocket engine test that the United States believed could be part of its program to develop a long-range missile. The reports said Washington had assessed that the test could be for the smallest stage of an ICBM.