North Korea is expected to showcase a new generation of strategic missiles and advanced weapons systems at a massive military parade this week, in what observers say is an attempt to project its growing ability to strike US and South Korean targets.
Analysts predict that the parade will centre on a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile and a series of hypersonic weapons designed to threaten US naval forces in the region. The new ICBM, which reportedly has a high-thrust solid-fuel engine, could bring the American mainland within range of Pyongyang.
Supreme leader Kim Jong-un said on Saturday that he had “assigned special assets” to American and South Korean military targets, accusing both of intensifying preparations for a nuclear attack.
His remarks came as intelligence assessments pointed to extensive parade rehearsals in Pyongyang ahead of the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea on Friday.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff says the North appears to be mobilising tens of thousands of troops for an event that promises to be part military demonstration, part political theatre.
