North Korea has revealed more nuclear missiles than ever before in a single parade in its latest intimidating display.
State-controlled media released terrifying pictures on Wednesday showing the nukes in a military parade to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army.
Various weapons were showcased in the procession which was attended by Kim Jong-un, including at least 11 intercontinental ballistic missiles and what appeared to be a new solid-fuel long-range missile.
The display in Pyongyang also included at least 11 liquid-fuel Hwasong-17 ICBMs on their 11-axle TELs, which is nearly triple the maximum amount previously showcased by the country in recent parades.
Displays in October 2020 and in April last year both showed off four of the missiles, which could be used to strike the US from across the Pacific.
Dictator Kim Jong-Un was at the event with his wife and daughter, although North Korean media did not report that he'd addressed the public.
Experts said the display in Kim II Sung Square acted as a show of assertion against the US.
“Ultimately, this is where we’ve been heading since Kim gave the order to mass-produce launchers and warheads back on New Year’s Day 2018,” Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told NK News.
“It’s yet another demonstration by the North Koreans that they’re seeking to assert a nuclear deterrence relationship with the United States, whether Washington likes it or not,” Mr Panda said.
The liquid-fuelled missiles can reportedly be armed with various different warheads capable of of wreaking destruction.
Mr Panda said the displaying of them at Wednesday's parade showed their intent to "saturate existing and planned U.S. homeland missile defence systems" with more mobile ICBM launchers.
It comes amidst fears for Kim Jong-un's health, with allegations that the pint-sized ruler having gone AWOL for 35 days.
These were allayed when the dictator made a triumphant return at his ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Military Commission meeting on Monday, when he urged his country to "prepare for war".
The country’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that he urged his army to display “matchless military strength” in the face of US tensions.
The meeting, attended by military top brass, heard discussions about bringing “great change” in the force, including “constantly expanding and intensifying the operation and combat drills” and “more strictly perfecting the preparedness for war”, the agency said.
