During a military parade in Pyongyang marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Labor Party, North Korea on Saturday (October 10) presented a giant intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), mounted for the occasion on a vehicle transport with 11 axles.
According to specialists from the Federation of American Scientists, an NGO scrutinizing nuclear-related risks, this missile - the Hwasong-15 - would be one of the largest road mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in the world if it became operational .
Member of the NGO and author of "Kim Jong-un and the bomb", Ankit Panda said in a tweet that it was "the largest mobile liquid-combustion missile ever seen to date".
Largest * road-mobile * liquid-fueled missile anywhere, to be clear.
https://t.co/c4Y43cXOcH
- Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) October 10, 2020
Read also >> North Korea: a giant parade for "a surprise weapon"?
A demonstration of power
During this parade, Kim Jong-un apologized for not being able to improve the daily life of North Koreans.
“I am sorry that I have been unable to pay back the immense trust that you have shown,” he said.
The North Korean leader has accused international sanctions, typhoons and Covid-19 of having prevented him from keeping his promises on economic growth.
"My efforts and dedication have not improved the difficult living conditions of our people," 'he said.
South Korean officials said this week that Kim Jong-un could turn the event into a "low-intensity" show of power ahead of the US presidential election on November 3, as nuclear talks with the US military are at a standstill.
With AFP and Reuters
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