North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled the hermit nation’s “ strongest nuclear weapon” during a major military parade.
The parade, held on Friday night, celebrated the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea, following celebrations on Thursday.
A group of foreign dignitaries attended the military parade held in North Korea’s capital city, Pyongyang. Among them included Chinese Premier Li Qiang, former Russian President Dmity Medvedev, and Vietnam’s Communist Party leader To Lam, according to state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Photos from the parade showed thousands of spectators cheering as they waved the North Korean flag.
During the parade, North Korea showcased a reportedly new weapon, the advanced Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, which KCNA characterized as the nation’s “strongest nuclear strategic weapon system.”
The missile was mounted on an 11-axle launcher truck, and state media describes the carbon fiber engine as superior to previously revealed weapons in North Korea’s arsenal.
The parade also included an imposing lineup of other high powered weapons, including a shorter range ballistic, cruise, and supersonic missiles.
Analysts believe the North Korean leader will test the Hwasong-20’s capabilities within the coming weeks, reports Al Jazeera.
Theoretically, the Hwasong ICBM could strike anywhere in the United States, however experts are uncertain about its guidance precision and if the warhead could survive atmospheric re-entry, reports Al Jazeera.
“The Hwasong-20 represents, for the moment, the apotheosis of North Korea’s ambitions for long-range nuclear delivery capabilities. We should expect to see the system tested before the end of this year,” said Ankit Panda of the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to the outlet.
“The system is likely designed for the delivery of multiple warheads … Multiple warheads will increase stresses on existing US missile defence systems and augment what Kim sees as necessary to achieve meaningful deterrence effects against Washington,” Panda added.
During the parade, the North Korean leader gave “warm encouragement” to North Korean service members abroad, specifically in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, noting their heroism would extend beyond national defence to “outposts of socialist construction,” according to KCNA.
Kim gave a chilling declaration of strength during his speech.
“Our army should continue to grow into an invincible entity that destroys all threats,” Kim said.
The KCNA reported that Kim met with Medvedev on Friday, and during that meeting, Medvedev said that North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russians in Ukraine represented trust between the two nations. Kim expressed his interest in strengthening cooperation with Russia and engaging in diverse exchanges to achieve mutual goals.