Post by : Rameen Ariff

North Korea displayed what it called its “most powerful” intercontinental ballistic missile during a grand military parade in Pyongyang, attended by high-ranking officials from Russia and China. The event, marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party, highlighted North Korea’s growing military capabilities and its strategic alliances.

The parade was attended by Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council and close ally of President Vladimir Putin, alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Vietnam’s leader To Lam. The leaders were seated near North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to images released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Among the weapons displayed was the new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which KCNA described as North Korea’s “most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system.” In addition, long-range strategic cruise missiles, drone launch vehicles, and ground-to-air and ground-to-ground missiles paraded down the streets of the capital, demonstrating the country’s advancing military technology.

Thousands of North Koreans filled the streets, dressed in bright traditional clothing, waving flags, and cheering as the weapons passed. The late-night event was accompanied by speeches from Kim Jong Un, who praised the country’s military as “invincible” and said it strengthened the Party’s efforts to overcome difficulties and ensure a bright future.

Kim also referenced North Korean troops fighting in Russia’s war in Ukraine, claiming their “heroic fighting spirit” abroad reflected the ideological and spiritual strength of the nation. According to Seoul, about 600 North Korean soldiers have died and thousands more have been wounded while fighting alongside Russian forces.

KCNA framed the parade as evidence of North Korea’s “inexhaustible defense technology potential” and rapid military development. Analysts say the display should be viewed as more than ceremonial. Seong-Hyon Lee, a scholar at Harvard University’s Asia Center, called the parade a “deliberate structural shift in regional geopolitics” and a warning to South Korea and its ally, the United States, that a united trilateral bloc of North Korea, Russia, and China could challenge regional dynamics.

The parade also comes amid ongoing diplomatic developments. Seoul recently suggested that talks between North Korea and the United States might be possible on the sidelines of this year’s APEC summit. North Korea has repeatedly emphasized that it is now an “irreversible” nuclear state, maintaining a firm stance on its military program despite past negotiations, including meetings between Kim and former US President Donald Trump.

Last month, Kim had also appeared alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin during a military parade in Beijing, signaling strengthened ties with Russia and China. A recent joint statement from Moscow and Pyongyang expressed support for North Korea’s efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities, reinforcing the impression of a consolidated trilateral relationship.

The event underlined North Korea’s growing confidence on the world stage, its continued military modernization, and the geopolitical shifts in the region, sending a strong message to neighboring countries and global powers about its strategic ambitions.

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