North Korea presses rocket programme
> New US sanctions target Chinese, Russian firms and individuals
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has ordered the production of more solidfuel rocket engines, state media said yesterday, as he pursues nuclear and missile programmes amid a standoff with the US, but there were signs of the drama easing.
The report carried by the KCNA news agency lacked the traditionally robust threats against the US after weeks of heightened tension, and US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a possible improvement in relations.
“I respect the fact that he is starting to respect us,” Trump said of Kim at a campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona.
“And maybe – probably not, but maybe – something positive can come about.”
The KCNA report, about Kim’s visit to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science, came not long after US secretary of state Rex Tillerson appeared to make a peace overture, welcoming what he called the recent restraint shown by the North.
Tillerson said on Tuesday he hoped a path could be opening for dialogue.
Kim was briefed about the process of manufacturing intercontinental ballistic missile warhead tips and solid-fuel rocket engines during his tour of the institute, KCNA said.
“He instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips by further expanding engine production process and the production capacity of rocket warhead tips and engine jets by carbon/carbon compound material.”
KCNA said Kim had given “special thanks and special bonus” to officials of the institute, calling them heroes.
There was none of the fiery rhetoric of recent weeks, when Kim threatened to attack the US Pacific territory of Guam after Trump warned North Korea it would face “fire and fury” if it threatened the US.
But there were some signs of tension after the US imposed new North Korearelated sanctions, targeting Chinese and Russian firms and individuals for supporting the North’s programmes.
The US Treasury targeted six Chineseowned entities, one Russian, one North Korean and two based in Singapore.
They included a Namibia-based subsidiary of a Chinese company and a North Korean entity operating in Namibia.
China reacted with irritation, saying Washington should “immediately correct its mistake” of imposing unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals. – Reuters