North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a large military parade that included an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile on the occasion of the Workers’ Party marking its 80th anniversary in the country. The event was attended by the leaders of China, Russia, and Vietnam, news agency Reuters cited state media KCNA as reporting on October 11.
The parade took place in Kim Il Sung Square and showcased two major weapons the Hwasong-11Ma hypersonic missile and the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which North Korean state media described as the country’s “most powerful nuclear weapons.”
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, a Russian delegation led by former President Dmitry Medvedev, and Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam attended the event in Pyongyang.
During the military parade, the country showcased its most advanced Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, which state media described as its “strongest nuclear strategic weapon system.”
A series of Hwasong ballistic missiles, developed with the aim of targeting the mainland United States, has given North Korea an advantage. However, questions have been raised about the peculiarities of its guidance system and its ability to accurately hit targets.
As per CNN, pictures and videos shared online showed soldiers marching, large missile launchers rolling through the streets, and crowds cheering under bright lights. It was North Korea’s first big military parade in two years.
The event came a month after leader Kim Jong Un attended a military parade in Beijing, where he stood alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. That visit strengthened North Korea’s ties with China and Russia.
The newly shown Hwasong-11Ma is designed to fly at hypersonic speed, more than five times the speed of sound, and can change direction during flight, making it very difficult for defence systems to stop.
CNN reported that North Korea has used he new 11Ma model with a warhead carried in a boost glide vehicle system, meaning it can move unpredictably towards its target. It also uses solid fuel, which allows for faster launch and easier transport than older liquid-fuel rockets.
The parade also introduced the Hwasong-20, North Korea’s newest ICBM, which is believed to be capable of carrying nuclear warheads and reaching targets as far as the United States,CNN reported citing KCNA.
