North Korea has displayed for the first time its new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), as well as medium-range hypersonic missiles and other innovative weapons, in a military parade to commemorate the , the organization that rules all areas of the country with an iron fist. The march, held on Friday night in Pyongyang’s Kim Il-sung Square, was presided over by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who was accompanied on the platform by senior leaders from China, Russia and Vietnam, in an image that symbolizes the intention of opening the hermetic atomic nation towards like-minded nations.
The chronicles of the official North Korean media – possibly the crudest style of propaganda on the entire planet in the 21st century – highlighted that the new Hwasong-20 is “the most powerful strategic nuclear weapons system” that the regime has. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) claims that “the spectators burst into the most enthusiastic cheers.” [del desfile] when the column of Hwasong-20″ intercontinental ballistic missiles made their appearance in the square.
The display of the rocket, capable of reaching the continental territory of the United States (the great North Korean enemy, its “imperialist” nemesis in the official story), has been by a country that has been subject to a sanctions regime by the UN Security Council for almost two decades for its nuclear and ballistic missile program.
“Our military must continue to grow until it becomes an invincible entity,” Kim said in a speech during the celebrations. “It must be constantly strengthened into an elite armed forces that achieve victory after victory thanks to its morale and discipline.” There was no express reference in his speech to either the United States or South Korea, the usual target of his invectives.
In September, North Korean media revealed the test of a new high-propulsion solid-fuel missile engine, saying it will be used for the next-generation Hwasong-20 under development. It was the ninth test of the engine and the “last” of the development process, KCNA said at the time. It is believed that the new model can be developed to carry multiple warheads, according to the South Korean Yonhap agency.
Also seen in the parade (a type of warhead that can maneuver and glide at hypersonic speed) and intermediate-range hypersonic missile systems, a type of projectile capable of evading anti-missile defenses. State media cited them as “strategic weapons systems, core of absolute power and essence of our party’s continuously reinforced self-defense capabilities to safeguard the rights to survival, development and peace.”
Kim made in his speech what can be interpreted as a reference to the participation of his troops in the Ukrainian war, in support of the Russian side: “The heroic fighting spirit demonstrated and the victory achieved by our revolutionary armed forces on foreign battlefields in the name of international justice and genuine peace have demonstrated the ideological and spiritual perfection of our army,” he noted.
One participant in the parade marched with a Russian flag and a North Korean flag, according to South Korean media. KCNA has referred to “the column of the Overseas Operations Units, which created the great new history of the Korean People’s Army and fully demonstrated the mettle of the Koreans with their militant bravery and legendary military exploits to defend the honor and dignity of the country, paraded majestically before the gaze of the great and brilliant command.”
In August, North Korea held an official ceremony for the first time in its history to honor soldiers who have fought outside its borders. South Korean intelligence services estimate that around 15,000 soldiers have been deployed to the Kursk region since October last year, and that around 600 have died. The North Korean regime has also provided its ally with artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket launchers, in an alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang that has intensified since 2024, to the point that they have signed a mutual assistance treaty in the event of military aggression.
The pomp has also been an excuse to highlight Kim’s recent diplomatic offensive towards countries in his geographical and ideological environment, Russia among them. In the guest gallery, the North Korean leader was flanked by Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang (on his right), General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam (on the left) and Vice President of the Russian Security Council, Dimitri Medvedev (a little beyond To Lam, also on the left). Kim has maintained three bilateral meetings in which he has indicated his interest in deepening ties.
In his face to face meeting with Medvedev, the North Korean president pointed out that the visit represents “a significant opportunity to expand and develop with greater vigor the new high-level relations” between both countries, “turning them into a solid and complete alliance and strategic partnership.”
At the end of the parade, according to official propaganda, all participants “expressed their greatest glory and gratitude to Kim Jong Un, the great revolutionary, unparalleled patriot and unparalleled illustrious commander,” there were “cheers of ‘Hurray!’” and ”the October night sky lit up with beautiful celebratory fireworks.”
