The New York Times on Sunday reported that North Korea may no longer be reliant on outside suppliers of rocket fuel as it is potentially producing its own.

The daily cited various intelligence experts who believe that the North may be producing unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine or UDMH, while spy satellites showed that Pyongyang's most recent missile launch on Friday was launched by UDMH propellants.
 
According to secret memos signed in 2008 by then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, North Korea had obtained an UDMH-powered engine that "represents a substantial advance in the North's liquid propellant technology" and that "allows the North to build even longer-range missiles." 
 
As the rare and potent rocket fuel could further propel the North's nuclear and missiles program, Washington is now "scrambling to determine whether China and Russia are providing ingredients for the fuel," and if so, whether the supply chain can be halted.

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