North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled a new long-range intercontinental ballistic missile during a military parade held in Pyongyang on Friday, attended by foreign dignitaries.
The Hwasong-20, which has not yet undergone testing, was characterized by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as possessing the “most powerful nuclear strategic weapons system.”
Additionally, the government showcased an array of shorter-range ballistic, cruise, and supersonic missiles at the military demonstration, which commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Worker’s Party’s establishment.
During the parade, Kim articulated that the military “must continue to develop into an invincible power capable of eliminating all threats.”
Among the foreign officials present at the parade were Chinese Premier Li Qiang, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam.
Kim also held a meeting with Medvedev on Friday, during which Medvedev commended the sacrifices made by North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine.
Kim conveyed his aspiration to fortify relations with Russia and collaborate towards shared objectives.
Last summer, Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, issued a warning against attempts to resume denuclearization discussions, asserting that Pyongyang would perceive any endeavor to compel North Korea to denuclearize as “nothing but a mockery.”
“Should the U.S. fail to acknowledge the altered reality and persist in its unsuccessful past approaches, the DPRK-U.S. meeting will persist merely as a ‘hope’ for the U.S. side,” stated Kim Yo Jong, referring to the country by its official designation, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Contributions to this report were made by The Associated Press and Reuters.