N. Korea's nuclear arsenal upgrade a serious threat, even if untested

Country showcases advanced weaponry, growing confidence in diplomacy at parade

- Wendy Teo South Korea Correspondent

As North Korea's newest long-range nuclear missile and tanks rolled down Pyongyang's main square amid loud cheers on Oct 10, the country's leader, Mr Kim Jong Un, was not only showing the world what it was capable of in advanced weaponry, but also its growing confidence in diplomacy.

At the rain-soaked night parade to mark the 80th anniversary of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, Mr Kim beamed as both the Hwasong-20 missile and Chonma-20 battle tank were unveiled for the first time.

He had earlier described them as "the most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system of the DPRK" and "modern-type main battle tanks". DPRK, or Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is the official name of North Korea.

The Hwasong-20 is Pyongyang's most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and analysts are warning that the nuclear arsenal, which they describe as formidable, should be taken seriously as a threat that cannot be ignored.

Dr Doo Jin-ho, a defence analyst at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, a Seoul-based think-tank, told The Straits Times that the Hwasong-20 ICBM appears to display a "high-yield, ultra-precision strike capability against the US mainland", while the new Chonma-20 battle tank is equipped with an active protection system and the capability to launch multiple suicide drones.

He believes that even though the Hwasong-20 is still untested, it demonstrates that "North Korea has already secured a formidable nuclear capability".

King's College London's international relations professor Ramon Pacheco Pardo shared the same assessment.

"The working assumption should be that North Korea has the capabilities to use its long-range missiles to strike the US mainland. The missiles may not be 100 per cent accurate, but they don't need to be to threaten the US," he told ST.