North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a large military parade showing off his new intercontinental ballistic missile in front of visiting international dignitaries, state media. KCNA he said on Saturday.
The parade, which began late Friday, marked the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party and followed Thursday’s celebrations.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Vietnam Communist Party chief To Lam were seen alongside Kim at the parade, while other foreign dignitaries looked on.
At the military parade, nuclear-armed North Korea displayed its most advanced Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, described by KCNA as the country’s “strongest strategic nuclear weapons system.”
The Hwasong series of intercontinental ballistic missiles has given North Korea the ability to target anywhere in the continental United States, but questions remain about the sophistication of its guidance system for hitting a target and the ability of the warhead it carries to withstand re-entry into the atmosphere.
“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.
“The system is likely designed for the delivery of multiple warheads… Multiple warheads will increase pressure on existing US missile defense systems and increase what Kim considers necessary to achieve significant deterrence effects against Washington.”
Other weapons on display included hypersonic ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, a new type of multiple rocket launcher and a suicide drone launcher, said Hong Min, a North Korea analyst at the Korea National Unification Institute.
At the military parade, Kim gave a speech in which he expressed “warm encouragement” to North Korean troops in overseas operations, adding that the heroism of his army will not only be seen in the defense of North Korea but also in the “outposts of socialist construction.” KCNA saying.
“Our military should continue to grow into an invincible entity that destroys all threats,” Kim said.
Kim held talks Friday with Medvedev, who said the sacrifice of North Korean soldiers who fought for Russia in its military campaign in Ukraine demonstrated trust in relations between the two countries.
Kim told Medvedev that he hopes to continue strengthening cooperation with Russia and closely participate in various exchanges to achieve common goals. KCNA saying.
Vietnam and North Korea also signed cooperation agreements in various fields, including between their ministries of defense, foreign affairs and health, KCNA he said without giving more details.
