North Korea orders more rockets and warheads

North Korea says its leader, Kim Jong-un, has ordered the production of more rocket engines and rocket warhead tips, but did not make any more threats against the US after weeks of heightened tension.

A report about Mr Kim’s visit to a chemical institute came not long after US secretary of state Rex Tillerson appeared to make a peace overture to Pyongyang, welcoming what he called the recent restraint shown by the North.

US president Donald Trump also expressed cautious optimism about a possible improvement in relations with the North, after months of mounting tension over the Pyongyang’s nuclear programme.

Mr Kim was briefed about the manufacture of solid-fuel rocket engines and warhead tips for intercontinental ballistic missiles during his tour of the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science, where he called for increased production.

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and dozens of missile tests since the start of last year, raising tension on the heavily militarised Korean Peninsula. Two tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles last month resulted in a new round of tougher global sanctions.

The last missile test on July 28 put the US mainland in range, prompting angry exchanges that raised fears of a new conflict on the peninsula.

But Mr Tillerson noted what he called the restraint the North had shown lately, and said on Tuesday that he hoped a path could be opening for dialogue.

At a campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona, Mr Trump said of Mr Kim: “I respect the fact that he is starting to respect us. And maybe, probably not but maybe, something positive can come about.”

South Korea and the US are conducting annual joint manoeuvres involving simulations of a possible war on the Korean Peninsula, exercises that the North routinely describes as preparation for invasion.

The drills, some of which involve beach landings, started on Monday and will run until August 31. And South Korea was yesterday scheduled to conduct a voluntary civil defence drill across the country.

Mr Kim gave “special thanks” and a “special bonus” to officials of the institute, calling them heroes.

There was, however, none of the fiery talk of recent weeks, when Mr Kim threatened to fire missiles into the sea near the US Pacific territory of Guam after Mr Trump warned North Korea it would face “fire and fury” if it threatened the US.

New US sanctions announced on Tuesday target Chinese and Russian companies and people for supporting Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and missile programmes.