North Korea has paraded its largest nuclear missiles through the capital, Pyongyang, during a nighttime ceremony that also appeared to feature what analysts believe is a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
\nAccording to international media reports, leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his wife and young daughter, presided over the parade on Wednesday night to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea\u2019s army.
\nThe country\u2019s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the parade featured a variety of nuclear-capable weapons, including tactical nuclear missiles and ICBMs, which the state news agency described as crucial in supporting North Korea\u2019s \u201cpower-to-power, all-out confrontation\u201d against enemies.
\nThe parade emphasised North Korea\u2019s ability to face down its enemies \u201cnuke for nuke, confrontation for confrontation!\u201d KCNA said.
\nThe huge display of military hardware comes after weeks of preparations involving large numbers of troops and civilians mobilised to glorify Kim\u2019s rule and relentless push to cement his country\u2019s status as a nuclear power.
\nNK News, which monitors events in North Korea, said that in addition to what appeared to be a new solid-fuel ICBM, the parade also featured at least 11 Hwasong-17 ICBMs. Just four Hwasong-17s had ever appeared at one time before during parades in 2020, which \u201csuggests mass production of the new missile and heavy launchers is well underway\u201d, NK News reported.
\nNorth Korean military parades are closely watched by outside governments and experts as they often feature newly developed weapons the North intends to test or deploy.
\nKim, wearing a black coat and fedora, attended the event with his wife Ri Sol Ju and daughter Kim Ju Ae, in what was the young girl\u2019s latest of recent public appearances. The North Korean leader was featured smiling and saluting from a balcony as thousands of troops lined up in a brightly illuminated Kim Il Sung Square, named after his grandfather and the nation\u2019s founder.
\nAmong the systems on display at the parade were the country\u2019s largest-yet ICBM, the Hwasong-17, dubbed the \u201cMonster Missile\u201d by some, followed by what some analysts said could be a new solid-fuel ICBM.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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