North Korea to step up missile development as photos hint at new designs 14:

Kim Jong Un has ordered more warheads and solid-
fuel rocket engines for long range missiles - as
images emerged appearing to show at least one new
weapon design.
Concept diagrams of the missiles could be seen
hanging on walls behind the North Korean leader as
he was photographed inspecting the work of the
country's Chemical Material Institute of The
Academy of Defence Science.
It comes just hours after US President Donald Trump
told Americans Mr Kim was "starting to respect us" ,
following a tense stand off with Pyongyang.
The North Korean leader was shown a warhead
tip during his visit
The authoritarian country's state-run broadcaster
KRT showed still photographs of a smiling Mr Kim
visiting the munitions factory, dressed in a grey
pinstripe suit.
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The dictator was briefed about the missile
manufacturing process during his tour, the official
Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
Earlier, US President Trump told supporters Mr
Kim was 'starting to respect us'
"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.
Michael Duitsman, a research associate at the
Center for Non-Proliferation Studies, said one of the
missiles pictured- a Pukguksong-3 - was "definitely
new".
Mr Kim has ordered his scientists to step up the
country's ballistic missile programme
North Korea has carried out out two nuclear tests
and a series of missile tests since the start of last
year, which have heightened tensions on the divided
peninsula and prompted international condemnation.
Two intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests in
July led to a fresh round of tougher global sanctions.
The last missile test on 28 July put major US cities in
range, with the resulting war of words raising fears of
a new conflict.
Tensions were further heightened with South Korea
and the US conducting an annual joint military
exercise, which the North has branded as preparation
for invasion.
However, there are signs of an easing of the stand
off with North Korea ln the light of Mr Trump's
comments and the absence of the usual anti-US
rhetoric by Pyongyang.

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