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

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North Korea’s Hwasong-15 ballistic missiles on display during a military parade in 2018. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:30pm, 7 Oct 2020Updated: 4:25pm, 8 Oct 2020

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.

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.

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