Top officials from Russia, China, and Vietnam were present at the celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party.
To mark the 80th anniversary of its ruling Workers’ Party, North Korea held a large military parade in Pyongyang’s main square on Friday.
The parade displayed the country’s latest weaponry, including military drones, tanks equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems, hypersonic ballistic missiles, and sophisticated electronic warfare technology.
A key moment was the unveiling of the Hwasong-20, which state media claims is North Korea’s newest and most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile, supposedly capable of reaching the United States.
In his address, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stated that the celebration was intended to “confirm once again the eternity of our sovereignty,” according to KCNA. He pledged to protect the nation’s independence through military power and commended the armed forces for their role in safeguarding the Workers’ Party and its policies. Kim added that North Korea would continue to “fulfill its responsibilities in the joint struggle of progressive mankind for opposing injustice” and described his country as “a bulwark for independence” against Western dominance. He also expressed his “warm encouragement” to North Korean troops stationed overseas.
The event was attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam, and a Russian delegation headed by former President Dmitry Medvedev.
The parade included North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russian forces in the Ukraine conflict. The soldiers carried flags of both nations in a show of unity. North Korean units participated in the operation to liberate Russia’s Kursk Region after Ukrainian forces launched an incursion there last year.
The day before the parade, Kim met with Medvedev, expressing his desire to further strengthen North Korea-Russia ties and establish a “strong and comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance.” Medvedev, who also serves as the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, echoed this sentiment, praising “the heroic deed of Korean fighters who helped the Russian military liberate Kursk Region,” and stating that their cooperation “will forever remain in the chronicle of friendship between our two countries.”
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