Kim Jong Un unveils North Korea’s ‘strongest nuclear weapon’ at parade
News Mania Desk / Piyal Chatterjee / 11th October 2025
As world dignitaries watched, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presided over a significant military parade that included the country’s newest intercontinental ballistic missile, according to state media KCNA.
After Thursday’s festivities, the Workers’ Party of Korea celebrated its 80th anniversary with a parade on Friday night. Chinese Premier Li Qiang, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and To Lam, the leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam, were among the foreign visitors in Pyongyang.
During the parade, North Korea showcased its advanced Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, which KCNA characterised as the nation’s “strongest nuclear strategic weapon system”.
While the Hwasong ICBM series provides North Korea with the theoretical capability to strike anywhere in the United States, experts remain uncertain about its guidance precision and whether its warhead could survive atmospheric re-entry.
“The Hwasong-20 represents, for the moment, the apotheosis of North Korea’s ambitions for long-range nuclear delivery capabilities. We should expect to see the system tested before the end of this year,” said Ankit Panda of the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
“The system is likely designed for the delivery of multiple warheads … Multiple warheads will increase stresses on existing US missile defence systems and augment what Kim sees as necessary to achieve meaningful deterrence effects against Washington.”
Kim told North Korean troops operating overseas, particularly in Russia’s battle in Ukraine, that their bravery will go beyond national defense to “outposts of socialist construction” in his speech during the parade, according to KCNA. On Friday, Kim also met with Medvedev, who said that North Korean troops fighting for Russia in Ukraine showed mutual trust. According to KCNA, Kim stated his wish to further collaboration with Russia and participate in a variety of exchanges in order to accomplish shared objectives.
