(VOVworld) – Pyongyang said Saturday it had successfully tested an engine designed for an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM).

According to the North's official KCNA news agency, the ground engine test was ordered and personally monitored by leader Kim Jong-Un. (Photo: dailymail.co.uk)

It was the latest in a series of claims by Pyongyang of significant breakthroughs in both its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

According to the North's official KCNA news agency, the ground engine test was ordered and personally monitored by leader Kim Jong-Un.

Kim described the engine test as an "eye-catching event" that demonstrated the North's national defence capability to the world.

He noted that the great success can help North Korea to " tip new type inter-continental ballistic rockets with more powerful nuclear warheads and keep any cesspool of evils in the earth including the US mainland within our striking range".

North Korea has never tested an ICBM, although it has displayed such a missile, known as the KN-08, during recent mass military parades in Pyongyang.

While the North has clearly made progress in developing the missil, most experts still believe it is years from obtaining a credible ICBM strike capability.