Kim Jong Un and North Korea show new ballistic missile in military parade: is it the ‘new strategic weapon’?

North Korea on Saturday unveiled a gigantic new ICBM that analysts described as the largest of its kind in the world as the nuclear-armed country defied the coronavirus threat with thousands of unmasked troops taking part in a parade. military.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned that his country would “fully mobilize” its nuclear force if threatened, while overseeing an early morning military parade showing off the new hardware.

The event, which was aimed at galvanizing the secret country at a time of increasing economic hardship and isolation due to the pandemic, took place before dawn on Saturday and edited images were aired later.

The unveiling of the seemingly new weapon followed a familiar display of goose-step troops, armored vehicles and a wide range of smaller ballistic missiles, all in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the country’s ruling party.

State television showed an ICBM in a transport vehicle with at least 22 wheels, larger than any previously exhibited by the country with nuclear weapons.

Several analysts described it as the world’s largest mobile liquid fuel missile, and Harry Kazianis of the Center for the National Interest said it was “much larger and clearly more powerful than anything else in the DPRK’s arsenal.”

It was the first time since 2018 that North Korea displayed ICBMs, capable of reaching the continental United States, in a military parade, and follows a promise from Kim in December 2019 to demonstrate a “new strategic weapon” to the world.

Edward Howell, an expert on North Korea at Oxford University, said the new weapon “underscores how Kim wants the DPRK. [North Korea] to be accepted as a nuclear weapon state, and that North Korea will not disarm anytime soon. Even despite covid, North Korea, in their eyes, is a nuclear state. “

In a speech to the crowd, which didn’t show many signs of social distancing measures, a sometimes excited Kim, dressed in a gray suit and tie, repeatedly thanked his “great people” for overcoming the “unexpected” burdens and staying close. of the pandemic. Prevention measures to keep the country free from Covid-19, a claim that has been questioned by outside health experts.

Despite the boasting of major new weapons and the collapse of nuclear talks with the United States last year, Kim did not directly criticize Washington. Instead, he focused on a strong national message urging the population to stand firm in the face of the “tremendous challenges” posed by the pandemic and devastating international economic sanctions.

In a rare glimmer of humility, Kim apologized for the standards of living in the country in what has been an exceptionally difficult year for the pariah state.

“I am ashamed that I could not properly reward them for their enormous confidence,” he said. “My efforts and devotion were not enough to lift our people out of difficult livelihoods.”

Howell said the intended audience for the event was both national and international.

“Kim’s emotional speech, in which he wished everyone good health in relation to covid-19, sought to show his people that he is a caring leader. However, he crucially mentioned how it was not just the covid, but the imposition of sanctions, which has stifled North Korea’s economic development, “he said.

“He didn’t mention the United States by name, but I think it was definitely a not-so-subtle hint for Washington, particularly with the American elections so soon, and the prospects for a possible new administration and North Korea’s revised policy.”