North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a ground test of a rocket engine and a demonstration of a new battle tank, state-run television said on Sunday (March 29).

Korean Central Television aired still photographs showing the tank hitting targets, quoting Kim as saying its active protection system could intercept nearly all existing anti-tank weapons and that it was unmatched globally.

The broadcaster also aired footage of the ground jet test of the solid-fuel rocket engine made with carbon-fiber materials, as the country attempts to advance its arsenal capable of reaching the US mainland.

The latest test showed North Korea’s “resolve to acquire missiles capable of hitting targets around the globe”, Hong Min from the Korea Institute for National Unification told AFP.