Kim Jong Un Shows Off New Missile as Russia and China Stand by His Side
This photo provided by North Korean government shows what it says a new intercontinental ballistic missile called the Hwasong-20, during a military parade Friday night marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Worker's Party, in Pyongyang. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
At a grand military parade attended by top officials from Russia, China, and Vietnam, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un showcased his nation’s most powerful weapons yet — including a newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that analysts believe could soon be tested.
The event, held late Friday in Pyongyang’s main square amid steady rain, marked the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party. It underscored both Kim’s determination to expand his nuclear capabilities and his growing diplomatic engagement with Moscow and Beijing. High-ranking Russian and Chinese representatives observed the spectacle alongside Kim, according to the Associated Press.
A New Weapon on Display
North Korean state media announced that the parade featured the debut of the Hwasong-20, described as the country’s “most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system.” The massive missile, displayed on 11-axle mobile launchers, has not yet been flight-tested but is believed to be designed to reach targets across the continental United States.
In recent years, North Korea has conducted a series of ICBM tests, including missiles equipped with solid-fuel propellants — allowing for faster deployment and greater concealment compared to older liquid-fueled systems. The parade also included displays of shorter-range ballistic and hypersonic missiles, tanks, drones, and advanced artillery, signaling Kim’s effort to expand both nuclear and conventional military strength.
Kim’s Message
In a speech before thousands of troops and citizens, Kim praised North Korean soldiers serving alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, lauding their “heroic fighting spirit” in what he called a struggle for “international justice and genuine peace.” While Kim avoided direct mention of the United States or South Korea, he declared that the North Korean military must “continue to grow into an invincible entity that destroys all threats.”
State television footage showed tens of thousands of spectators cheering under bright lights as troops marched in precision and missile carriers rolled through the rain-soaked streets. Analysts suggest that the newly revealed Hwasong-20 may be designed to carry multiple warheads, enhancing its ability to evade missile defense systems.
Diplomatic Guests
Kim hosted an unusually high-level group of foreign dignitaries for the event. Among them were Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev — who previously served as Russia’s president — and Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam.
During meetings Friday, Kim and Medvedev discussed strengthening the “comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance” between North Korea and Russia, according to the Korean Central News Agency. Medvedev praised North Korean troops for aiding Russian forces in repelling a Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region and called for deeper cooperation between the two nations.
Kim also met with Li and Lam earlier in the week to discuss expanding economic and political ties.
The parade and accompanying diplomacy reflect Kim’s intent to position North Korea more firmly within a growing bloc of nations aligned against Western influence — even as Washington, under President Trump’s administration, continues efforts to pressure Pyongyang through sanctions and deterrence.
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