North Korea unveils new ballistic missiles at military parade

North Korea displayed nuclear-capable missiles and drones at a massive military parade in Pyongyang attended by leader Kim Jong Un and delegations from China and Russia, state news agency KCNA reported on July 28.

The parade was held solemnly on the evening of July 27 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, also known as "Victory Day" in the country.

Initial photos released by North Korea showed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un seated between Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong watching a performance.

World - North Korea unveils advanced ballistic missiles at military parade. — Kim Jong Un (third from left), along with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (second from left) and Chinese Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong (right), attend a military parade on July 27. Photo: NK News

World - North Korea unveils a series of advanced ballistic missiles at a military parade (Figure 2). — Thousands of soldiers participated in a parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the signing of the armistice agreement in North Korea on July 27. Photo: Reuters

High-level delegations from China and Russia were among the first visitors to North Korea since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

Among the weapons on display were intercontinental ballistic missiles such as the liquid-fueled Hwasong-17 ICBM and the solid-fueled Hwasong-18 ICBM.

KCNA also described the Hwasong-18 ICBM as the country's "core and most powerful means" of overwhelming enemy nuclear threats. These missiles are believed to have a range capable of striking targets anywhere in the United States.

World - North Korea revealed a series of state-of-the-art ballistic missiles at the parade (Photo 3). — A prototype of the Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was displayed at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang on July 27. Photo: CNA/KCNA

World - North Korea unveils a series of advanced ballistic missiles at a military parade (Figure 4). — The Hwasong-18 ICBM is described as North Korea's "core and most powerful weapon." Photo: Reuters

North Korea fired a Hwasong-18 ICBM earlier this month following its first test in April. Solid-fuel ICBMs are among the high-tech weapons that North Korea claims it will develop, including military reconnaissance satellites and nuclear-powered submarines.

According to KCNA, many attack and reconnaissance drones performed demonstration flights while circling the sky above Kim Il Sung Square, doubling the joy of people celebrating North Korea's victory.

World - North Korea unveils a series of advanced ballistic missiles at a military parade (Figure 5). — Numerous tanks and drones were showcased at the celebration. Photo: France24/KCNA

"This was North Korea's largest, most public display of its nuclear capabilities to foreign officials," Ankit Panda, a senior fellow in the nuclear policy program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace , wrote on social media.

Observers say North Korea clearly wants to use the anniversary events to show solidarity with China and Russia, amid increased security cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan.

World - North Korea unveils a series of advanced ballistic missiles at a military parade (Figure 6). — A panoramic view of the ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of "Victory Day" at Kim Il-sung Square on July 27. Photo: Reuters

World - North Korea unveils a series of advanced ballistic missiles at a military parade (Figure 7). — This was the 14th military parade held in North Korea under Kim Jong Un. Photo: Yonhap

“The message is very clear: Kim Jong Un has the backing of two powerful partners in the region. These countries are also veto-wielding members of the United Nations Security Council,” Panda added.

Kim Jong Un's regime has held 14 military parades, including this week's event. The most recent parade was held in February to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of North Korea's armed forces. The Hwasong-18 ICBM was showcased for the first time at that event .

Nguyen Tuyet (Based on Yonhap, Reuters, Al Jazeera, Bloomberg)

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