Is North Korea gearing up to unveil new missiles at military parade in ‘show of force’ before US election?

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has promised to showcase ‘new strategic weapons’, and Seoul believes this weekend could be perfect timing
Liquid-fuelled missiles cannot normally be left in a fuelled state but solid-fuelled missiles have the advantage of being able to remain fuelled and ready to strike

North Korea

Park Chan-kyong

Published: 3:30pm, 7 Oct 2020

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South Korea’s Defence Ministry expects North Korea to showcase “new strategic weapons” such as intercontinental-range ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched missiles during a massive military parade to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party this weekend.

“We believe the North will mobilise various strategic weapons as a show of force,” Defence Minister Suh Wook told the National Assembly’s defence committee on Wednesday.

Responding to a question from a ruling party lawmaker, Suh also said the North is unlikely to launch missiles for flight tests or conduct a nuclear test before the US presidential election on November 3.

US President Donald Trump held two summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un over Pyongyang’s denuclearisation but talks stalled since their last meeting Hanoi in February 2019.

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Trump has said he would make deals with Pyongyang “very quickly” if re-elected but experts have speculated that the US election establishes a time frame for Kim to increase the pressure on Washington.

“North Korea’s upcoming celebrations will feature pageantry, elaborate displays of military prowess to impress and intimidate, and the potential for much more provocative and dangerous actions after the US election,” said Bruce Klingner, senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation.

Specifically, US government officials reportedly harbour concerns about North Korea unveiling a new type of long-range ballistic missile capable of striking the US with a nuclear weapon.

“A senior White House official, as well as multiple US intelligence officials I have spoken with ... strongly suspect Pyongyang will unveil a solid-fuelled ICBM at its October 10 military parade,” Harry J. Kazianis, senior director for Korean Studies at the Centre for the National Interest, said last month.

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A long-range ballistic missile that is solid-fuelled would signal a “generational shift” in North Korea’s missile technology, which so far encompasses the liquid-fuelled Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15, Kazianis said.

North Korea has been testing solid-fuelled missile systems since its most recent liquid-fuelled missile launches in November of 2017.

In December 2019, Kim promised to showcase a “new strategic weapon” that would enhance its nuclear deterrent. He made that statement after two tests of a large rocket engine that burned twice as long as the Hwasong-15 ICBM.

“While those ICBMs are mobile, their liquid fuel requires longer preparation times as the weapons cannot normally be left in a fuelled state, due to the corrosive and highly combustible nature of the chemicals used,” Kazianis said. “Solid-fuelled missiles carry the advantage of being able to stay in a fuelled and ready-to-strike state.”

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: North Korea expected to showcase new missiles

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