Showing off 'monster' missiles: What message does North Korea send to the US?

During a military parade held yesterday to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea, the country's military unveiled a brand new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which analysts said was “the largest ever built”.

Taking place less than a month before the US presidential election (November 3), the message that North Korea wants to send is very clear: "This country will not give up on strengthening its defense and deterrence capabilities, despite warnings and sanctions."

The transporter-launcher (TEL) for North Korea's new ICBM has 11 axles and 22 wheels, longer than its largest nuclear missile, the Hwasong-15. Photo: KCTV

The parade took place at around 1 a.m. on October 10, a rare time for a parade in North Korea, and was not broadcast on television until late at night.

Images broadcast by North Korean state television channel KCTV showed armed teams and military vehicles lined up on the streets of Pyongyang, ready to march towards Kim Il Sung Square. North Korea's new missile model was unveiled at the end, with a transporter-launcher (TEL) with 11 axles and 22 wheels.

NK News said that this could be the largest land-based intercontinental ballistic missile ever built. This new missile is believed to be developed from the largest nuclear-capable missile that North Korea currently possesses, the Hwasong-15. The longer missile design could have two goals: increasing the missile's range and being able to equip it with more warheads. According to leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea will continue to strengthen its military forces for defense and deterrence purposes.

“We will continue to strengthen the Army's deterrence and defense capabilities to control and manage all dangerous plots and threatening behaviors, including the growing nuclear threats, from hostile forces.”

One of North Korea's missiles. File photo

Unlike previous parades, this one did not have the participation of foreign media. In late December last year, the North Korean leader announced that he would unveil a “new strategic weapon,” but some experts said Pyongyang had no intention of “angering” the White House ahead of the US presidential election.

According to Rachel Lee, an expert on North Korean issues who used to work for the US government, this is clearly shown in the North Korean leader's decision to show off these new strategic weapons in a parade instead of a test launch. However, the choice of time to broadcast the parade, at night, when the American people are just waking up, shows North Korea's careful calculation.

Military parade in Kim Il Sung Square takes place amid nuclear talksUS - North KoreaRelations have been deadlocked for nearly a year, following the last meeting between the two leaders at the inter-Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ).

Analysts predict that Kim Jong Un may make some moves during the presidential election period in early November, but not too serious. This is partly because the US is more concerned with domestic issues. This is also the reason why many analysts believe that the message that the North Korean leader wanted to send in yesterday's parade was mostly to the people at home, highlighting the achievements of the Party, the unity around the leader, and the improvement of the economy in the past./.