North Korea has installed a new fuel injection system at its Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan province, marking a significant upgrade to its rocket propulsion capabilities.<\/p>\n
According to a Daily NK source in North Korea, work began in early January to install “a new fuel injection system capable of safely storing and rapidly injecting high-performance liquid fuel.” The source emphasized that unlike previous systems, this one incorporates high-pressure fuel injection equipment.<\/p>\n
“This upgrade aims to reduce satellite and intercontinental ballistic missile launch preparation times while enhancing safety and efficiency of high-performance liquid fuel handling,” the source explained. “The project involves renovating existing facilities and installing new equipment, with completion expected by month’s end.”<\/p>\n
Security has intensified around the facility, with new Ministry of State Security checkpoints established following orders from Pyongyang. These enhanced movement restrictions are expected to remain in place until the system’s completion in late January.<\/p>\n
While recent attention has focused on solid fuel technology, the source indicated that North Korea continues to view liquid fuel technology as crucial for launch vehicle development.<\/p>\n
“The new injection system’s technology represents a complete departure from existing methods and will significantly improve launch vehicle ranges,” the source said. “It was designed with both satellite launches and ICBM engine advancement in mind.”<\/p>\n
The modernization task force \u2013 comprising personnel from the Defense Industry Department, National Aerospace Development Administration, and Missile General Bureau \u2013 has praised the upgrade as a “technical breakthrough overcoming limitations of the existing low-pressure injection method.”<\/p>\n
Reports suggest Russian technological cooperation played a role in the development. “Engine technology and fuel injection systems are closely integrated. These improvements were planned and optimized using technology obtained from Russia,” the source revealed. “Technical personnel on site openly acknowledge the Russian origin of this technology.”<\/p>\n
Yang Uk, an Associate Research Fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, told Daily NK, “After experiencing multiple launch failures, North Korea likely constructed this high-pressure fuel injection system using Russian-assisted technology. Officials appear under pressure to gather long-range missile launch data before the Ninth Party Congress.”<\/p>\n