North Korea displays new intercontinental missile in military parade – Radio Free Asia

Nuclear-armed North Korea has deployed its most advanced Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, described by the North Korean government as “the country’s most powerful strategic nuclear weapons system”, state media said Saturday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the major military parade displaying its new intercontinental ballistic missile in front of visiting international dignitaries.

The parade, which began Friday evening, marked the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party.

The Hwasong series of ICBMs have given North Korea the ability to target anywhere on the American continent, but questions remain about the sophistication of its guidance system to hit a target and the ability of the warhead it carries to withstand atmospheric reentry, according to the Reuters news agency.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, as well as Vietnamese Communist Party leader To Lam were seen alongside Kim during the parade.

“The Hwasong-20 represents, for now, the apotheosis of North Korea’s ambitions for long-range nuclear delivery capabilities. We should expect to see the system tested before the end of this year,” Ankit Panda of the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace told the Reuters news agency.

“The system is likely designed for delivery of multiple warheads…Multiple warheads will increase pressure on existing U.S. missile defense systems and increase what Kim considers necessary to achieve significant deterrence effects against Washington.”

Reuters report