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North Korea unveiled a new ICBM on Saturday in an unprecedented military parade displaying the country’s long-range weapons for the first time in two years.
Analysts said the missile, which was unveiled on an 11-axis carrier vehicle, would be one of the world’s largest road mobile intercontinental ballistic projectiles (ICBMs) if operational.
“This missile is a monster,” said Melissa Hanham, deputy director of the Open Nuclear Network organization.
The government also displayed the Hwasong-15, the longest-range missile North Korea has ever tested, and what appeared to be a new ballistic projectile (SLBM) that can be launched from submarines.
Ahead of the parade, which was held to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party, officials from South Korea and the United States said that leader Kim Jong Un could use the event to reveal a new “strategic weapon. ”, As anticipated earlier in the year.
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A senior US government official called the exhibition of the intercontinental missile a “disappointing” event and called for the full denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula to be negotiated.
The parade showcased North Korea’s ballistic missiles for the first time since Kim began meeting with international leaders, including US President Donald Trump, in 2018.
“We will continue to strengthen our national defense capabilities and weapons of deterrence,” Kim said, although he stated that the country’s military might not be used preventively. The North Korean leader made no direct mention of the United States or the now-stalled denuclearization talks.
Kim blamed international sanctions, typhoons and the coronavirus pandemic for preventing him from delivering on his promises of economic progress.
