Kim to bolster his nuclear forces at ‘maximum speed'

North Korean leader makes threat at military parade

- SHWETA SHARMA

The display was not pre-announced by North Korea but had been expected by observers after a relatively muted celebrations to mark founder Kim Il-sung's birthday earlier this month.

Monday's parade was closely watched by neighbouring South Korea and Japan, as well as international analysts, as the country has already conducted 13 rounds of weapon tests this year alone.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said North Korea's threats could push the US closer to allies Japan and South Korea.

"Pyongyang typically seeks to drive wedges between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo. But during this military display, representatives of South Korea president-elect Yoon [Suk-yeol] were in Japan for policy consultations and representatives of the Biden administration were in South Korea to coordinate an early summit,” he noted.