North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Kim made the announcement at a military parade on the founding anniversary of North Korea’s armed forces, announcing that it would increase its stockpile of nuclear weapons. While the world community has strongly criticized North Korea’s moves, Kim has said he will continue with its nuclear weapons program.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim had instructed the military to be ready to deploy nuclear weapons at any moment. The internationally banned intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was also on display as part of the military parade. It is a matter of concern that ICBMs are intended to carry nuclear weapons. Currently, ICBM is available in Russia, the US, China, France, India, the United Kingdom and North Korea.
For the first time since 2017, North Korea tested its largest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwaseong 17, in March. This has drawn strong international criticism. Meanwhile, another provocation was displayed at the Hwaseong 17 military parade. Hwaseong 17 was first displayed by North Korea in October 2020 during a military parade. Experts at the time called the relatively large missile the ‘Monster Missile’.
Following the testing of Hwaseong 17, countries, including the US, imposed tougher sanctions on North Korea. The intercontinental ballistic missile, which is designed to carry nuclear weapons, is reportedly capable of targeting entire U.S. regions. With a length of 25 meters and a weight of one lakh kilograms, the Hwaseong 17 is North Korea’s largest missile.
In addition to intercontinental ballistic missiles, a demonstration of submarine-launched missiles and hypersonic missiles was organized as part of the military parade.