Kim Jong Un’s “Diamond‑In‑the‑Sky” Mission
In a spectacle that felt more like a festival than a military briefing, North Korean chief Kim Jong Un announced that his country’s grand design is to own the world’s most powerful nuclear arsenal. The declaration came right after he turned the gaze of a crowd of officers onto the test run of the new Hwasong‑17, the nation’s heftiest ballistic missile ever.
What “Most Powerful” really means
Kim told the fuel‑filled gathering that building a nuclear force isn’t just about defense; it’s about securing Korea’s dignity and sovereignty. He pledged that the Hwasong‑17 would serve as the marquee of an “unprecedented” century‑long strategy, and bragged that North Korea could eventually field the world’s strongest armada.
- He dubbed the Hwasong‑17 the “world’s strongest strategic weapon”.
- The missile launch shows the country’s mettle and determination.
- North Korean scientists, who folks say made “wonderful leaps” in sat‑placing warheads on missiles, were highlighted.
Photos, Oaths and the Daily Dose of Power
With a flashy backdrop of scientists, engineers, and military brass, Kim posed for photo ops, urging them to “continue to expand and strengthen” the nuclear deterrent “at an extraordinarily rapid pace”. The crews handed over oaths of allegiance to the ruling party, pledging that the missiles will only “fly vigorously in the direction indicated” by Kim.
It was a classic lecture‑style moment: “I carefully taught us one by one during the development of the Hwasong‑17,” he said, echoing the leadership’s tight grip on the program.
US Response and UN Moves
The missile, capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, sparked a diplomatic stir. Washington wants a UN Security Council presidential statement to hold North Korea accountable, especially since the launches violate several UN resolutions.
National Awards for a New Star
- The Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly named the Hwasong‑17 a DPRK Hero and Gold Star Medal.
- It also received an Order of National Flag 1st Class.
KCNA claims the test proves the DPRK is a “full‑fledged nuclear power” ready to stand against U.S. supremacy and clearly demonstrates it as the world’s most powerful ICBM state. The report closed with a bold statement: the missiles will react “in kind” to “the enemy’s nuke and full‑frontal confrontation”.
Why All the Fuss? The Bigger Story
This isn’t just about a new missile—it’s a public relations push from Kim to the world. With his army and national pride on display, he’s hinting that the next steps might see an even more formidable arsenal. Whether the US will dial it back or roll with it remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Hwasong‑17 is a big milestone on North Korea’s nuclear road map.
