North Korea displays new hypersonic, nuclear missiles at military parade on ruling party’s 80th anniversary
North Korea unveiled new hypersonic and long-range nuclear missiles during a military parade in Pyongyang on Friday night, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, reports 24brussels.
The parade occurred in Kim Il Sung Square and featured significant weaponry, including the Hwasong-11Ma hypersonic missile and the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). These were described by state media as North Korea’s “most powerful nuclear weapons.” Kim Jong Un addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need for the armed forces to evolve into an “invincible” entity.
Kim stated, “Our army should continue to grow into an invincible entity that destroys all threats approaching our range of self-defence by dint of its political, ideological, military and technical superiority overwhelming the enemy, and it should steadily strengthen itself into elite armed forces which win victory after victory on the strength of morality and discipline.”
Online footage featured soldiers marching, missile launchers parading through the streets, and crowds celebrating under dazzling lights, marking North Korea’s first significant military display in two years. A month prior, Kim attended a military parade in Beijing, strengthening North Korea’s ties with China and Russia.
The Hwasong-11Ma is engineered for hypersonic flight exceeding five times the speed of sound and can change direction mid-flight, complicating interception for defense systems. This model utilizes a warhead delivered via a boost glide vehicle system for unpredictable targeting, alongside solid fuel for expedited launches and improved transport.
Also showcased was the Hwasong-20, believed to carry nuclear warheads with a strike range extending to the United States. Earlier this year, North Korea announced the conclusion of final testing on a new high-powered rocket engine constructed from carbon-fiber materials for the Hwasong-20, which experts predict will also power the Hwasong-19, another long-range missile capable of reaching US territory.
The parade was attended by senior North Korean officials and likely guests from China, Russia, and Vietnam. Although Kim Jong Un was present, it remains unclear whether he delivered a speech or if his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, accompanied him, as she has at previous military events.