Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, proudly displayed the Hwasong-20 intercontinental missile at the opening ceremony of the "Museum of Defense Revolution," which recently opened in Pyongyang. This display took place one day after Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced the possibility of meeting with Kim Jong Un during his planned trip to Asia.
Kim's Daughter and Wife by His Side
At the ceremony, Kim Jong Un was accompanied by his daughter, known as "Ju Ae," and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. Images released from the event showcase advanced weapons developed during Kim's leadership, including drones and the Hwasong-20 ballistic missile.
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Military and Political Dimensions of the Display
According to information on the introduction board in front of the Hwasong-20 launcher, this missile is designed with multiple warheads and has a range that exceeds the continental United States, as well as regions such as the Middle East, Australia, and South America. Shin Jong Woo, Secretary-General of the Korea Defense and Security Association, stated that this display appears to be aimed at showcasing the achievements of Kim's defense science development program. This event is interpreted as an effort to gain a strategic advantage ahead of a potential North Korea-U.S. summit.
Institutionalizing Military Achievements
Analysts believe that this museum reflects Kim Jong Un's broader plans to strengthen North Korea's military displays and turn them into lasting symbols of the regime's military achievements. Lim Ul Chol, a professor at the Institute of East Asian Studies at Kyungnam University, stated that by transforming previously temporary military displays into a permanent museum, Kim is institutionalizing his military achievements and portraying North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities as a complete and sustainable legacy.
Testing New Missiles
Meanwhile, North Korea announced on Monday that it has tested a tactical ballistic missile. This test was conducted to confirm the successful technical upgrade of a key component, and without providing further details, the official Korean news agency stated that this upgrade is an important step in improving the performance of all offensive weapon systems.
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