North Korea unveils ‘monster’ ICBM at parade

North Korea unveiled never-before-seen ICBMs in an unprecedented pre-dawn military parade on Saturday that showcased the country’s long-range weapons for the first time in two years.

Analysts said the missile, which was displayed on an 11-axis carrier vehicle, would be one of the world’s largest mobile road intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in the world if operational.

“This missile is a monster,” said Melissa Hanham, deputy director of the Open Nuclear Network.

Also on display was the Hwasong-15, which is the longest-range missile North Korea ever tested, and what appeared to be a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

Before the parade, which was held to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Workers’ Party, officials from South Korea and the United States said Kim Jong Un could use the event to reveal a new “strategic weapon.” as previously promised. this year.

A senior US administration official called the ICBM display “disappointing” and called on the government to negotiate for complete denuclearization.

The parade featured 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 build our national defense power and self-defense war deterrent,” Kim said, but promised that the country’s military power will not be used preemptively. He made no direct mention of the United States or the now stalled denuclearization talks.

Kim blamed international sanctions, typhoons and the coronavirus for preventing him from fulfilling his promises of economic progress.

“I am ashamed that I have never been able to adequately repay his enormous trust,” he said. “My efforts and devotion weren’t enough to get our people out of difficult livelihoods.”

The video showed Kim making an appearance when a clock struck midnight. Dressed in a gray suit and tie, he greeted the crowd and accepted children’s flowers while surrounded by military officers in Pyongyang’s recently renovated Kim Il Sung Square.

Kim spoke for nearly half an hour, often visibly sweating despite the cool morning air, shedding tears as he thanked the troops and smiling and laughing as he looked at the missiles.

The parade was highly choreographed, with thousands of troops marching in formation, displays of new conventional military equipment, including tanks and fighter jets firing flares and fireworks.

Experts said the largest new ICBM is likely designed to carry multiple independent reentry vehicles (MIRVs), allowing it to strike more targets and making interception more difficult.

The new ICBM is likely intended to dispel doubts about North Korea’s ability to strike the continental United States and the implicit threat that they are preparing to test the larger missile, said Markus Garlauskas, a former US intelligence officer. United for North Korea.

“If the Hwasong-15 could carry a ‘super-large’ nuclear warhead anywhere in the United States, then the natural question is what can this larger missile carry?” He said.

Coronavirus

Kim was visibly moved when he thanked the troops for their sacrifice in responding to natural disasters and preventing a corovonavirus outbreak.

He said he was grateful that not a single North Korean had tested positive for the disease, a claim that South Korea and the United States had previously disputed.

While attendees at other celebratory events were shown wearing masks, no one in the parade appeared to be wearing them.

Kim said he hoped that North and South Korea would come together again when the global coronavirus crisis is over.

South Korean officials said this week that Kim could use the event as a “low intensity” show of power ahead of the November 3 US presidential election, as denuclearization talks with Washington have stalled. – Reuters