SEOUL (CU)_After more than a week of political meetings, North Korea displayed its military might once again, parading what appeared to be a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).
Leader Kim Jong Un was also seen, clad in a leather coat and a fur hat, smiling and waving as he oversaw the parade on Thursday (Jan 14), at the Kim Il Sung Square, in the capital city of Pyongyang.
The parade, which featured rows of marching soldiers as well as tanks, rock launchers and much more, concluded with the display of what appeared to be new variants of short-range ballistic missiles and SLBMs.
“The world’s most powerful weapon, submarine-launch ballistic missiles, entered the square one after another, powerfully demonstrating the might of the revolutionary armed forces,” state news agency KCNA reported.
Photos released by state media showed the SLBM being labelled as Pukguksong-5, which suggests an upgrade over the Pukguksong-4 that was unveiled at the military parade in October, and experts say North Korea is seeking to develop an operational submarine to carry the missiles.
Last week, Kim Jong Un convened the first Workers’ Party Congress in five years, and in his opening address he described the past five years as the “worst of the worst” for the country, as his government fell short of its economic plans in almost every respect. Nevertheless, he also stressed on North Korea’s growing military prowess and describing the United States as the country’s “biggest enemy”.
Meanwhile, analysts say this show of military might suggests that Pyongyang wants to convey a message of strength ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden as the next US president on January 20.
