South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday inspected the test-launch of a ballistic missile developed by the country's military in what analysts said is a show of military force by Seoul that could exacerbate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Moon's visit to the Agency for Defense Development in Taean, Chungnam Province came hours after US officials reported a rocket engine test by the DPRK on Friday. Moon held a meeting with military officials including Defense Minister Han Min-koo and agency officials. He then attended the test-fire of the Hyunmoo-2 from the observatory along with other officials, cheering after the exercise was successfully conducted.

South Korea's military plans to deploy the Hyunmoo-2 missile after conducting two more test firings.

Moon said negotiations with Pyongyang would only be possible when Seoul has the security ability to overwhelm them.

Bound by a voluntary agreement with the United States, South Korea has only been developing ballistic missiles with a range of 800 kilometers or less.