North Korea unveiled a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-20, at a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Labor Party. It is seen as a show of force highlighting a strategic weapon capable of directly striking the U.S. mainland.
The (North) Korean Central News Agency reported on the 11th that the parade was held the previous day at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, saying, "As the ranks of the intercontinental ballistic missile 'Hwasongpho-20,' the mightiest nuclear strategic weapon system of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which forms the quintessence of the self-defensive national defense power our party has ceaselessly increased, filled the main route and entered the square, the audience's thunderous cheers reached a fever pitch."
The agency said, "Strategic weapon systems—the embodiment of absolute power that constitutes the essence of our self-defensive national defense capability constantly increased by our party to safeguard intransigent rights to survival and development and to defend peace—rumbled into the square, shaking the ground," and added, "Formations of hypersonic glide missiles and hypersonic medium- and long-range strategic missiles marched forward." It continued, "Following the formation of the modern main battle tank 'Chonma-20,' equipped with tremendous offensive power and a reliable protection system, a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer formation, demonstrating the strength of the artillery force—our military's primary arm—swept across the square with the gun barrels of annihilation raised high."
The Hwasong-20 has been suggested as likely to be developed to extend its range or increase warhead weight to boost destructive power. North Korea conducted a ground jet test of a new high-thrust solid-fuel engine last month and said the engine would be used in the new Hwasong-20 ICBM. At that time, it also revealed the missile's reentry vehicle, presumed to be multiple warheads.
North Korea's unveiling of the Hwasong-20 appears aimed at flaunting its nuclear force. However, Kim Jong Un, chairman of the State Affairs Commission, did not issue any direct criticism or threats toward the United States and South Korea at this parade.