North Korea exhibited
new submarine-launched ballistic missiles
during a military parade Thursday night in the country's capital Pyongyang.
The weapon was described by state media as "the most powerful in the world."
This new type of ballistic missile, which was exhibited along with other military equipment, is known a few days after the inauguration of the president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden, and at a time when the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong- Un, has called for
strengthening his country's nuclear weapons program.
Kim made the call during a meeting of the regime, in which he also revealed plans to try to rebuild the nation's economy, affected by the ineffectiveness of a tyrannical regime, international sanctions, the pandemic and natural disasters that wiped out crops.
"
The most powerful weapon in the world
, the submarine launch ballistic missile, was displayed in the square, demonstrating the might of the revolutionary armed forces," reported the North Korean Central News Agency, releasing images with at least four large missiles. painted black and white, weapons that Kim said will serve to counter what he described as hostility from the United States and its Asian rivals.
[North Korea carries out "senseless" executions and measures over Kim Jong-un's fear of the pandemic, spies denounce]
Kim's comments are likely
intended to pressure the incoming administration of Joe Biden
, who has branded the North Korean leader a "bully" and accused outgoing President Donald Trump of putting on a show rather than slowing down. significant North Korea's nuclear capabilities.
Kim has not ruled out new talks, but affirmed that the fate of bilateral relations will depend on whether Washington abandons the hostile policy towards his country.
The weapons display underscores Kim Jong Un's defiant calls to expand a nuclear and missile program.
The new type of submarine launch missile
is larger than the ones North Korea had previously tested
.
Kim led the parade from a podium in Kim Il Sung Square, named after his grandfather.
Wearing a black fur hat and leather coat, he saluted and smiled as the troops chanted "Let's defend Kim Jong-Un with our lives!"
and "Let us protect the Labor Party of Korea led by great comrade Kim Jong-Un with our lives!"
[North Korean prisons are worse than Nazis, say international judges]
Defense Minister Kim Jong Gwan said in a speech that the North Korean military
"will preemptively muster all our might to thoroughly punish hostile forces"
if they threaten its security.
The military planes flew in formation, using what appeared to be flares to form the Labor Party symbol: a hammer, brush, and sickle.
Spectators cheering and waving flags were shown without masks, despite the national campaign to protect themselves from the coronavirus.
The parade also showcased a wide
variety of solid fuel weapons
designed to be fired from mobile land launchers, potentially expanding the ability to strike targets in South Korea and Japan, including US military bases in those countries.
[Does North Korea have a new ICBM?]
Korea's Central Telegraphic Agency said the parade featured other missiles capable of "
completely annihilating enemies
preemptively outside (our) territory."
But it was not immediately clear whether the description referred to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
Photos and videos released by state media did not appear to include weapons that could be definitively identified as ICBM.
During a military parade last October, North Korea
revealed what appeared to be its biggest ICBM at the time
.
Its previous long-range missiles demonstrated a potential ability to reach deep into the continental United States during flight tests in 2017.
With information from the
Associated Press and the BBC.
