North Korea tests solid-fuel rocket engine

North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-un has hailed the country's advance in nuclear strike capability after Pyongyang claimed of successfully testing a solid-fuel rocket engine.

Kim, who personally monitored the solid-fuel test, said that it would allow for a major upgrade of the North's missile delivery systems that would "strike great horror and terror into the hearts of our enemies", the state-run KCNA news agency said, reports the Guardian.

The solid-fuel test was of a "large output" engine and included separation testing.

"This is an historic and unforgettable day," Kim was quoted as saying.

The test done by Pyongyang is the latest in the string of claims regarding its growing technical sophistication of its nuclear programme.

Tensions in the divided Korean peninsula has been soaring since Pyongyang carried out its fourth nuclear test in January followed by a long-range rocket launch a month later.

The Security Council had two weeks ago imposed strictest sanctions to North Korea following its tests.

North Korea has since February fired 15 various projective over four occasions. Monday's launch is the second one in less than a week the Pyongyang has launched projectiles.

It had fired two ballistic missiles near Sukchon county, South Pyongan province, on the country's west coast on last week.

In recent weeks, North Korea has also claimed to have miniaturised a thermonuclear warhead that can fit on a ballistic missile which experts say the claims with a mix of fact and exaggeration.

All the launches come amid joint military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea, which has angered Pyongyang.