[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] North Korea Unveils New SLBM

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] North Korea has attracted attention by unveiling a new upgraded version of its submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the Pukguksong-5. It appears to have an increased warhead weight compared to the 'Pukguksong-4ㅅ' (Siot) revealed at the Workers' Party's 75th anniversary parade last October.

Korean Central Broadcasting reported on the 15th, "The 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."

The parade featured mountain infantry units, reconnaissance units, electronic warfare operation units, social security armed mobile units, the latest self-propelled artillery units, the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th corps units, followed by anti-aircraft artillery corps defending Pyongyang, the 91st corps, and the 3rd corps units, appearing in sequence.

Strategic and tactical weapons, including SLBMs, were showcased. In the photos released by North Korea, the inscription 'Pukguksong-5 ㅅ' is clearly visible, indicating it is an upgraded version of the previously revealed 'Pukguksong-4ㅅ.'

The broadcast stated, "It powerfully demonstrates the might of the revolutionary strong army firmly holding overwhelming military technological superiority in the world, as the world's strongest underwater strategic ballistic weapon," confirming the unveiling of the SLBM.

Meanwhile, the ten-day schedule, including the main sessions and commemorative events of the Party Congress that began on the 5th, has been completed. Government sources revealed that the parade started around 6 to 7 p.m. the previous day. This is the first time North Korea has held a parade to commemorate the Party Congress.

The 'night parade' is also the second time, following the Workers' Party's 75th anniversary parade last October, making it an unusually short interval of just three months between parades.

At this 8th Party Congress, North Korea emphasized strengthening its defense capabilities by including it in the Party rules and disclosed plans for developing nuclear submarines and hypersonic weapons in the Central Committee's work report, highlighting a focus on military power enhancement.

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