ADDS DETAILS, SECOND DECK
By Saadet Gokce
ISTANBUL (AA) - North Korea held a military parade Friday in Pyongyang to mark the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), according to reports by South Korean media.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was present at the military parade held at Kim Il Sung Square on Friday night, Yonhap News reported, citing North Korea’s state media, KCNA.
The parade showcased North Korea’s Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which is still under development. North Korea referred to it as "the most powerful nuclear strategic weapon."
An earlier report by Yonhap News said details of the parade, such as attendees and weapons that were showcased, were not immediately available, citing an "informed source."
But high-ranking foreign leaders who were on a visit to North Korea for the occasion are expected to have attended the parade, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Vietnam’s Communist Party leader To Lam, Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith and Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono is also visiting for the first time since 2013, as the WPK is holding anniversary events.
Pyongyang had orchestrated its last military parade in September 2023 for the 75th anniversary of the regime's founding day.
Kim on Thursday addressed an event marking the event, vowing to transform the country into an "affluent" socialist "paradise."