North Korea showcased its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile during a military parade attended by high-ranking officials from Russia and China. The event, held on November 4, 2023, celebrated the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party, with state media describing the Hwasong-20 missile as the country’s “most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system.”
The parade took place amid a backdrop of increasing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, has secured significant support from Moscow, reportedly sending thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian forces. Notable attendees included Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, Li Qiang, Premier of China, and To Lam, the leader of Vietnam, all of whom were seated near Kim during the event.
The spectacle featured a range of military hardware, including long-range strategic cruise missiles and drone launch vehicles. Thousands of North Koreans, dressed in traditional attire, filled the streets of Pyongyang, waving flags and cheering as the military vehicles paraded through the capital. Images from the event displayed a show of national pride and military capability.
In his speech, Kim emphasized the strength of his country’s military, stating it has “always added doubled strength to our party’s efforts to overcome difficulties.” He also referenced North Korean troops’ involvement in international conflicts, highlighting their contributions to Russia’s military objectives in Ukraine. “The heroic fighting spirit displayed by our revolutionary armed forces… demonstrated the ideological and spiritual perfection,” he remarked.
According to South Korea’s government, approximately 600 North Korean soldiers have been reported killed, with many more injured during their deployment in Ukraine. The parade was described by North Korean state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), as a demonstration of the country’s “inexhaustible defense technology potential” and rapid military advancements that the global community can no longer overlook.
The event in Pyongyang coincided with discussions in South Korea about the possibility of a meeting between North Korea and the United States during the upcoming APEC summit. Previous encounters, notably between Kim and former US President Donald Trump, raised hopes for diplomatic progress, but those efforts ultimately failed to produce a lasting agreement on North Korea’s nuclear program. Since then, the regime has reaffirmed its status as an “irreversible” nuclear state.
Earlier in October, Kim appeared alongside Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at a military parade in Beijing, further highlighting the strengthening ties between North Korea and China. In a joint statement released by KCNA, Russia’s ruling party expressed firm support for North Korea’s efforts to enhance its defense capabilities.
Seong-Hyon Lee, a visiting scholar at the Harvard University Asia Center, noted the significance of the parade. He described it as part of a broader shift in regional geopolitics, indicating a response to South Korea’s strengthened alliance with the United States. The show of military might serves as a warning that this alignment will face a consolidated and powerful bloc on its border.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the implications of North Korea’s military advancements and its evolving alliances will likely remain a focal point for international observers.
