North Korea holds military parade, shows off new intercontinental missile
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SEOUL – North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a large military parade displaying the country’s new intercontinental ballistic missile in front of visiting international leaders and dignitaries, state media KCNA said on Oct 11.
The parade, which began late on Oct 10, marked the 80th anniversary of the foundation of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, and followed celebrations on Oct 9.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russia’s former president Dmitry Medvedev, as well as Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam were seen at Mr Kim’s side at the parade, while other foreign dignitaries looked on.
During the parade, nuclear-armed North Korea displayed its most advanced Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), described by KCNA as the country’s “strongest nuclear strategic weapon system”.
The Hwasong series of ICBMs has given North Korea the capacity to target anywhere on the US mainland, but questions remain over the sophistication of its guidance system to reach a target, and the ability of a warhead it carries to withstand atmospheric re-entry.
A parade, which began late on Oct 10, marked the 80th anniversary of the foundation of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, and followed celebrations on Oct 9.
PHOTO: EPA
“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 Mr 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 stresses on existing US missile defence systems and augment what Kim sees as necessary to achieve meaningful deterrence effects against Washington.”
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un gave a speech at a parade in which he expressed “warm encouragement” for North Korean troops in overseas operations, KCNA said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Other weapons on display included hypersonic ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, a new type of multiple rocket launcher and a launcher for suicide drones, said North Korea analyst Hong Min at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
Mr Kim gave a speech at the parade in which he expressed “warm encouragement” for North Korean troops in overseas operations, and added that its military’s heroism will not only be seen in the defence of North Korean land, but also in “outposts of socialist construction”, KCNA said.
Mr Kim said: “Our army should continue to grow into an invincible entity that destroys all threats.”
He held talks on Oct 10 with Mr Medvedev, who said the sacrifice of North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia in its military campaign in Ukraine proved the trust in ties between the two countries.
Mr Kim told Mr Medvedev he hopes to continue strengthening cooperation with Russia and to closely engage in diverse exchanges to achieve common goals, KCNA said. Vietnam and North Korea also signed agreements of cooperation in various fields, including between their defence, foreign and health ministries, KCNA said without elaborating. REUTERS
