North Korea Flexes Its Missile Muscles Ahead of the Winter Games
On Thursday, Pyongyang threw a parade‑style fireworks show that left everyone at the border’s high‑security fence feeling a bit shaken. As the North Korean army celebrated its 70th anniversary, the nation elected to flaunt two brand‑new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and a fresh short‑range rocket that tastes a bit exotic.
When the Clock Struck 9am, Po‑lam‑imagery and ICBMs Dropped In
- Hwasong‑15 – This two‑stage, liquid‑fuel rocket finally hit the parade floor after its successful test in November. It’s the version that could’s technically cross the Atlantic to hit U.S. targets, according to analysts.
- Hwasong‑14 – The second ICBM, now seen in the spotlight, completed two solid‑fueled tests last year and made its go‑live debut in the parade.
- New Short‑Range “Iskander‑Hybrid” – A missile built on the Russian Iskander platform, yet sprinkled with features reminiscent of Korea’s Hyunmoo‑2. A little cross‑border culinary creation, if you will.
Timing That Makes You Guess
Traditionally, the parade is a April affair. This year, though, it shot off on the night before the Winter Olympics kicked off in nearby Pyeongchang. A timing that was sure to keep the world on its toes on two fronts: a grand display of armament and the dazzling torch‑lighting ceremony.
Less on Tanks, Big on Missiles
Unlike the heavy‑armed displays of the past, the parade this year sang in missiles. Analysts note a deliberate shift: fatty tanks and artillery coyed out while the missile crew takes the spotlight. The freeze in conventional gear showcases a career‑long pivot toward more sophisticated warfare options.
Take‑away & Surprise 1
- Seasoned militarists now catapult a gradual decline in conventional armaments bent down in favor of rocketeering.
- Kim Jong Un’s first parade back in 2012 invites a pattern gone straight to the future.
