The military parade took place on Friday evening at the square. Kim Il-sung in Pyongyang. It was chaired by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and among those present were high-ranking representatives of China, Russia, Vietnam and other countries.
The event is seen as a demonstration of Kim's will to strengthen diplomatic cooperation with countries opposed to the West and to show the power of North Korea's nuclear arsenal.
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Premiere of new North Korean weapons during the parade
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STR/AFP / East News
Medvedev with Kim
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described the new ICBM as “the most powerful strategic nuclear weapons system,” announcing its launch during a military parade.
The presentation of the Hwasong-20, capable of striking targets on U.S. territory, was intended to emphasize the country's nuclear strength and demonstrate the actual possession of nuclear weapons in the presence of foreign leaders and high-ranking guests.
Dmitry Medvedev at the parade alongside Kim Jong Un
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STR/AFP / East News
In his speech, Kim called on the armed forces to continue to develop towards an “invincible” army.
— Our army should continue to develop into an invincible force that will destroy all threats that appear within our self-defense range, thanks to political, ideological, military and technical superiority that overwhelming the enemy. It should continually strengthen itself as an elite armed force, achieving victory after victory through morality and discipline, Kim said.
There were no direct references to the United States or South Korea.
Foreign guests were invited to the party's anniversary ceremony, including Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev and Vietnamese leader To Lam.
Big parade in Pyongyang
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STR/AFP / East News
