Kim Jong-un presents North Korea’s newest nuclear-capable intercontinental missile

At a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, North Korea displayed its newest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-20, which officials called the country’s most powerful nuclear weapon model, according to North Korean state-run media.

“When the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, the DPRK's strongest nuclear strategic system, appeared on the square, the spectators' jubilation reached a maximum,” media reported.

The Hwasong-20 is described as hypersonic, capable of performing manoeuvres while travelling at five times the speed of sound, and this parade marked the first public appearance of North Korea’s newest nuclear-capable ICBM.

North Korean troops who previously participated in the liberation of the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces also marched in the parade. Among the high-ranking foreign attendees was former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s National Security Council.

Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirmed that Pyongyang would not relinquish its nuclear arsenal, stressing that the country’s nuclear status is enshrined in the constitution.

In early September, reports noted that Kim Jong-un reviewed the results of tests on the newest solid-fuel engine, intended for use in the next-generation Hwasong-20 missiles.

By Tamilla Hasanova