Held on the evening of the 14th at Kim Il-sung Square
Submarine-launched ballistic missiles and more revealed
It has been confirmed that North Korea held a military parade commemorating the 8th Party Congress on the evening of the 14th, attended by Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party.
On the 15th, Korean Central Broadcasting reported, "The military parade commemorating the 8th Party Congress was grandly held on the evening of January 14 at Kim Il-sung Square in the capital, Pyongyang," adding, "Comrade Kim Jong-un attended the parade." Following celebratory fireworks marking the parade, fighter jets flew overhead, and columns of missiles and armored vehicles entered the square in succession.
The broadcast stated, "Demonstrating the might of the revolutionary strong army firmly holding overwhelming military-technical superiority over the world," revealing that submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) were also displayed.
It further introduced, "Our reliable rocket columns, equipped with strong striking power capable of thoroughly annihilating any enemy preemptively outside our territory, shook the ground with their thunderous roar," implying that intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) such as the Hwasong-15 were also featured in the parade.
The broadcast said, "The audience gave enthusiastic cheers to the strategic forces column, the Party's reliable nuclear armed forces that make hostile powers tremble just by their name," and added, "The mechanized columns, led by armored vehicle columns, began their parade march."
It continued, "The latest tactical rocket columns entered the square waving the Republic's flag, and the main tank columns, which can be considered symbols of military combat power, advanced forward."
On the platform were Chairman Kim, along with Choe Ryong-hae, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly; Jo Yong-won, Party Secretary; Ri Pyong-chol, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission; and Kim Tok-hun, Premier of the Cabinet.
Additionally, Politburo members and alternate members such as Pak Tae-song, Jong Sang-hak, Ri Il-hwan, Kim Du-il, Choe Sang-gun, Kim Jae-ryong, O Il-jong, Kim Yong-chol, O Su-yong, Jong Kyong-thaek, Ri Yong-gil, Pak Tae-dok, Huh Chol-man, Kim Hyong-sik, Pak Myong-sun, Ri Chol-man, Tae Hyong-chol, Kim Yong-hwan, Pak Jong-geun, Yang Seung-ho, Jong Hyun-chol, and Ri Son-gwon were called out. Former Vice Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Pak Pong-ju appeared in the veteran seats.
Chief of the General Staff Pak Jong-chon reported the parade preparation inspection to Vice Chairman Ri Pyong-chol, who then reported to Chairman Kim.
This is the first time North Korea has held a military parade to commemorate a Party Congress.
The "evening parade" is also the second of its kind, following the military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party last October, unusually holding another parade within a short period of three months to showcase its defense capabilities both domestically and internationally.
Meanwhile, through the entire process of the 8th Party Congress, North Korea clearly set the goal of strengthening its defense capabilities. The Party Charter was amended to specify the strengthening of defense power, and in Kim Jong-un's three-day "Report on the Summary of the Party Central Committee's Work," a significant portion was devoted to the defense sector as a concrete task.
In the summary report from January 5 to 7, the General Secretary presented a notably specific vision for defense, unlike other sectors such as the economy and society.
He also officially announced the development of a nuclear-powered submarine, ordered improvements in the accuracy of ICBMs capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, and hinted at the development of "hypersonic" weapons capable of neutralizing air defense systems.
Furthermore, he revealed that the new nuclear submarine design research has been completed and is in the final review stage, presenting "possession of nuclear submarines and underwater-launched nuclear strategic weapons to enhance nuclear long-range strike capabilities" as a national agenda.
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