North Korea projected a formidable display of military power as Kim Jong Un unveiled a new long-range missile at a grand parade in Pyongyang, reinforcing his defiant pursuit of nuclear capabilities and closer alignment with Moscow and Beijing.
The rain-soaked event, held on Friday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party, featured the debut of the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, described by state media as the nation’s “most powerful nuclear strategic weapons system.” The event also showcased shorter-range ballistic, cruise, and supersonic missiles, all designed to strike targets across South Korea.
Addressing troops at the ceremony, Kim said his armed forces “must continue to evolve into an invincible force that eliminates all threats,” though he refrained from naming Washington or Seoul directly, according to comments released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Thousands of spectators filled Kim Il Sung Square, named after Kim’s grandfather and the founder of the state, as convoys of missile-mounted vehicles and marching soldiers paraded past with visuals of the night parade, showing a vibrant yet disciplined spectacle of power and loyalty.
Among the soldiers on parade were members of “the invincible overseas operations unit that fully demonstrated the spirit of the Korean people,” a reference suggesting the participation of troops sent to Russia to assist in the war against Ukraine.
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The occasion also carried significant diplomatic undertones. Kim hosted a rare gathering of high-ranking foreign dignitaries, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy head of Moscow’s Security Council, and Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam. Analysts believe Pyongyang will use the optics to assert its growing role within what it terms a “new Cold War” alignment challenging the US-led global order.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kim has made Moscow a focal point of his foreign policy, dispatching troops and supplying artillery and ballistic missiles to support Vladimir Putin’s war efforts. His recent visit to China, where he appeared alongside Xi Jinping and Putin at a military parade, further underscored his bid to strengthen ties with both powers and enhance diplomatic leverage.
North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear capability has become central to Kim’s leadership. Efforts by Washington and Seoul to revive stalled nuclear talks have been repeatedly dismissed by Pyongyang. Diplomatic engagement collapsed after the failed 2019 Hanoi summit between Kim and then US President Donald Trump, a breakdown that cemented North Korea’s current trajectory of isolation and militarisation.
By unveiling the Hwasong-20 before foreign allies, Kim signalled not only military ambition but also a deepening partnership with the Russia-China bloc, one that could redefine the geopolitical balance in Asia. The parade was as much a message of defiance to the West as it was a declaration of North Korea’s evolving place in a shifting world order.
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