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The North Korean regime is showing its might. On the night of Wednesday, February 8, the country presented an impressive arsenal during a grand military parade. Never before had the dictatorship displayed so many long-range missiles through the streets of the capital. At a time when inter-Korean relations are extremely tense, North Korea, in the presence of its leader Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his wife and his daughter, showed the world the extent of its military power.
With Nicolas Rocca, RFI correspondent in Seoul, and AFP
Solid fuel missiles, a dozen Hwasong 17s, theoretically capable of hitting the entire US mainland. North Korea, extremely isolated since the start of the pandemic and hurt by economic sanctions, has nevertheless managed to show that its nuclear arsenal is more powerful than ever.
Wearing a black coat and felt hat, an outfit worn by his grandfather and the country’s founder, Kim Il Sung, the leader attended the parade with his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and daughter Ju Ae, according to official photos.
The country regularly holds military parades to mark important dates and events, and they are closely watched for clues to the secretive regime’s progress in its ballistic and nuclear weapons programs. The reason for this exhibition was to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army, Kim Jong-un.
Challenge USA
First, long-range solid-fuel missiles, faster to use and transport than liquid-fuel missiles. A technological feat for the regime. And, above all, at least between ten and twelve Hwasong 17, a missile with several nuclear warheads and an estimated range of 15,000 kilometers. Successfully tested last November, it is theoretically capable of reaching both Paris and New York.
The number of missiles revealed is significant, since some specialists point out that it would correspond to the US anti-missile defense capabilities on its western coast. This is a way of showing that the goal of surpassing the defensive capabilities of the United States is not unattainable for Kim Jong-un.
kim’s family
The North Korean state press went years without mentioning Kim’s children. However, last November he appeared alongside Ju Ae during a ballistic missile launch.
Since then, the 10-year-old girl has appeared alongside her father at various events, most notably Tuesday at a banquet for the anniversary of the founding of the armed forces.
Analysts have pointed out that she is the equivalent of a North Korean “princess” and that her frequent presence with her father could indicate that she is his designated successor.
Kim Jong Un’s father, Kim Jong Il, chose him as his successor over his older sons because of his physical resemblance.
North Korea has held four nightly military parades in recent years, including the one on Wednesday.
Pyongyang has vowed to expand and intensify its military exercises to prepare for war, after a year in which it conducted a record number of weapons tests.
Kim recently called for an “exponential” increase in the country’s nuclear arsenal, including the mass production of tactical nuclear weapons and the development of counter-nuclear missiles.
