Pyongyang (TDI): North Korea organized a grand military parade late Friday, unveiling what it described as its newest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), as part of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party.
Standing beside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the parade were high-profile guests including China’s Premier Li Qiang, Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev, and Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam.
The highlight of the parade was the display of the Hwasong-20 ICBM, which North Korea’s state media called the country’s “strongest nuclear strategic weapon system.”
Although the Hwasong class of missiles already gives North Korea a potential reach to the US mainland, analysts caution that uncertainties remain about the new missile’s guidance systems, reentry survivability, and warhead reliability.
Beyond the ICBM, an array of other weapon systems were also displayed and paraded, including hypersonic ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, new multiple rocket launcher systems, and a drone-suicide launcher, according to analysts with the Korea Institute for National Unification.
Read More: China, North Korea Vow to Boost Strategic Communication and Cooperation
In remarks during the event, Kim lauded his military, extending “warm encouragement” to troops involved in overseas operations and affirming that North Korean armed forces would continue to “destroy all threats.”
“Today, we stand before the world as a mighty people with no obstacles we cannot overcome and no great achievement we cannot accomplish,” Kim said.
On the diplomatic front, Kim held talks with Medvedev earlier Friday, during which Medvedev praised the “sacrifice” of North Korean fighters in Ukraine and reaffirmed trust between Pyongyang and Moscow.
“We are grateful to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for its steadfast support of the special military operation. Our soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder to liberate the Kursk region. This feat will forever remain in our hearts,” he added.
The two leaders expressed hopes to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors. Meanwhile, North Korea and Vietnam signed memoranda of cooperation spanning defense, foreign affairs, and health.
Established in December 2008, The Diplomatic Insight is Pakistan’s premier diplomacy and foreign affairs magazine, available in both digital and print formats.
