North Korea held a large-scale military parade on the night of the 8th to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the military's founding and unveiled a new type of missile.


Experts point out that there is a possibility that a solid-fuel ICBM = intercontinental ballistic missile class, making it difficult to detect and intercept.

According to North Korea's Korean Workers' Party organ newspaper "Rodong Sinmun" dated 9th, Kim Jong-un ( Kim Jong-un attended for the first time with his daughter in addition to his wife, Ri Sol-ju.



In the parade, in addition to the new ICBM = intercontinental ballistic missile class "Hwasong 17" launched in November last year, a new type of missile mounted on a mobile launch pad with nine wheels on one side was released.



North Korea has announced the development of ICBMs using solid fuel in its third year ``National Defense Five-Year Plan'', and has made it clear that it will further spur nuclear and missile development.

Korean Central Television broadcasts footage of ceremony and military parade

North Korea's state-run Korean Central Television reported on the ceremony and military parade held in the central square of the capital Pyongyang on the night of the 8th in the presence of General Secretary Kim Jong-un to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army. The video will be broadcast from 6:00 pm on the 9th.



The broadcast released for the first time a video of Kim and his daughter attending with his wife.



Prior to this, the Korean Workers' Party organ newspaper "Rodong Sinmun" dated 9th published a new ICBM = intercontinental ballistic missile class "Hwasong 17" and a mobile launch pad with nine wheels on one side, which were unveiled at the military parade. I was conveying photos of new missiles installed in.

Military Parade: Ask an Expert [Q&A]

We asked Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Ryo Yamaguchi of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo, who is familiar with security in East Asia, about the North Korean military parade.



Q. What is the highlight of this military parade?



A. The emergence of a solid-fuel ICBM = a missile that could be of the intercontinental ballistic missile class.


Although it is believed to be still in the early stages of development, it is thought that launch tests will be conducted from this year to next year in order to verify its performance before being deployed in combat.


Also, this time, in addition to an unprecedented number of ICBMs, short-range ballistic missiles have appeared, and we can see that domestic production and manufacturing capacity of not only missiles but also mobile launchers are growing.


There may also be a message that missiles need a launching device, so more can be launched.



Q.What is the difference between the solid fuel type and the liquid fuel type?



A. Liquid-fueled missiles need to be refueled just before launching, but solid-fueled missiles can be stored in a fueled state, so they can be launched more quickly.


When North Korea tested a solid-fuel engine last December, General Secretary Kim Jong-un directed the development of a new type of missile.


I think that the fact that solid-fuel ballistic missiles have appeared this time emphasizes the fact that development is progressing that much.



Q. What should we be wary of regarding North Korea's future movements?


A.North Korea is believed to have brought forward its Five-Year National Defense Plan and is proceeding with the development and deployment of various types of equipment in combat at a rapid pace. I think we will continue to carry out launch training.


It is also believed that preparations for nuclear tests are almost complete, and there is a possibility that North Korea will test small nuclear warheads to be mounted on tactical nuclear weapons.