North Korea has unveiled the Hwasong 20 ICBM its most powerful missile yet during a grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party in Pyongyang.
North Korea showcased its newest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong 20 during a military parade attended by leader Kim Jong Un. The missile mounted on an 11 axle launcher was highlighted as the country’s most advanced nuclear weapon system symbolizing a major step in its strategic defense ambitions.
According to state media the new solid fuel engine powering the Hwasong 20 produces nearly 1,971 kilonewtons of thrust surpassing earlier designs. Experts suggest the missile could carry multiple nuclear warheads potentially enhancing North Korea’s capability to bypass missile defense systems.
Analysts say the Hwasong 20 reflects Pyongyang’s determination to expand its long range strike capacity. We should expect to see a test before the end of the year said Ankit Panda of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noting the system could redefine North Korea’s deterrence strategy.
During the parade, Kim Jong Un called North Korea a bulwark for independence against Western influence. Russian official Dmitry Medvedev also attended reaffirming cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang amid growing geopolitical tensions.
