[2020 National Audit] Possibility of Deploying Strategic Weapons at North Korea's October 10 Military Parade

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It is reported that North Korea is highly likely to deploy strategic weapons at the military parade event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party (10.10).

On the 7th, at the National Assembly Defense Committee's audit of the Ministry of National Defense held at the Ministry of National Defense, Minister of National Defense Seo Wook responded to a question from Kim Byung-joo of the Democratic Party asking, "Do you think North Korea is likely to show intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) at the parade?" by saying, "Compared to previous years, it appears that they are preparing various events including the parade, and it is judged that they will demonstrate military force by deploying strategic weapons."

Minister Seo agreed with Kim's remark that "North Korea seems to want to take the initiative after the U.S. presidential election and will likely show off at the parade rather than conducting missile launches or nuclear tests."

The military is focusing on the possibility that North Korea will deploy new ICBMs equipped with multiple warheads and SLBMs at this parade. Earlier, the Ministry of National Defense explained in the audit briefing materials that "preparations for events such as the 75th anniversary parade of the founding of the Workers' Party are in the final stages." However, they did not mention which weapons and equipment would be deployed in relation to the parade trends.

Meanwhile, Joseph Bermudez, senior researcher at the U.S. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Victor Cha, CSIS Korea Chair, stated in an interview with Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the same day that "North Korea appears to be continuing activities related to SLBM test launch preparations at the Sinpo Shipyard in South Hamgyong Province." The Sinpo Shipyard is where North Korea is constructing a new 3,000-ton class submarine to carry the new SLBM.

Researcher Bermudez noted, "Compared to photos taken on the 9th of last month, the number of surrounding vehicles and equipment has significantly decreased," adding, "The crane, trailer, and vehicles that were at the pier where the Sinpo-class experimental ballistic missile submarine (SSBA) and underwater test barge were docked have disappeared." Bermudez previously speculated that these pieces of equipment were "some construction equipment or trailers transporting missile containers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.