At a military parade on Monday, North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un vowed to “continue to take steps to strengthen and develop” the country’s nuclear capabilities “at the highest possible speed.” He also appeared undeterred by criticism of an escalation in missile tests, as the armed forces showcased the Hwasong-17, Pyongyang’s largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which was first test-fired last month.
In a speech to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the military, Kim underscored that he will strengthen the country’s nuclear forces both “quantitatively and qualitatively,” adding that nuclear forces “must be ready” to be exercised anytime. In this regard, he said that nuclear weapons are merely a deterrent and preventive force, describing them as a “symbol of national power.” However, he added that they could be deployed if North Korea’s “fundamental interests” were attacked.
“In preparation for the turbulent political and military situation and all kinds of crises in the future… we will further increase our nuclear force at the highest possible speed,” Kim announced.
BREAKING: North Korean state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun publishes first images of the April 25 military parade.
— NK NEWS (@nknewsorg) April 26, 2022
Photos show Kim Jong Un and his wife, Hwasong-17 ICBM and other missiles marching through the square.https://t.co/55K5L0hqDn pic.twitter.com/nbdzzGI5TX
Citing unnamed military sources, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency earlier reported that North Korea was conducting the parade in the late hours of Monday. As part of the celebrations, Pyongyang’s main Kim Il Sung Square was illuminated and crowds of people were reported in the area. At least 12 illuminated objects were also spotted hovering over central Pyongyang at around 1230 GMT (9:30 pm local time) on Monday, while Kim was pictured overlooking a parade. Seoul-based NK News reported that they may have been drones or other aircraft and were a possible indicator of a military parade or practice.
In fact, North Korea has celebrated two important anniversaries in recent weeks. Earlier this month, North Korea celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Kim Jong-un being elected as the country’s Supreme Leader, wherein members of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) praised Kim’s leadership in developing nuclear weapons and highlighted his political achievements. Under Kim’s rule, the country has conducted at least six nuclear tests and developed superior ICBM capabilities that analysts believe may be capable of reaching the United States.
Kim Jong Un’s full speech from Monday’s military parade, via KCNA: pic.twitter.com/9XucTYhb8j
— William Gallo (@GalloVOA) April 26, 2022
Choe Ryong Hae, a member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and one of the senior-most officials in Pyongyang, called Kim “a gifted thinker and theoretician, outstanding statesman and peerlessly great commander.” Choe further hailed Kim as “a peerless patriot and a great defender of peace” for making North Korea “a full-fledged military power equipped with all-powerful physical means of self-defence.”
Since Kim took control of the country following his father’s death 10 years ago, North Korea has held 12 major military parades to mark national events. North Korea’s past three military parades occurred after dark, and state media did not report on the events until the next day. In a similar fashion, state media did not report on the latest military parade on Monday night.
President Kim Jong Un met and warmly congratulated the commanding officers of units at all levels of the KPA taking part in the celebrations of the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army at the office building of the WPK Central Committee on April 25. pic.twitter.com/gL3GFoDJKW
— paramasivam (@paramas33898467) April 26, 2022
Although South Korea and the United States have called on the nuclear-armed nation to return to dialogue, Pyongyang has warned the international community of its “overwhelming military power” and resumed activities on its nuclear testing site.
Furthermore, North Korea has conducted 12 missile tests since the start of the year, including of a hypersonic missile. In fact, it carried out seven tests in January alone.