ROCKET MAN
Kim Jong-un unveils huge new nuke and CRIES as he boasts North Korea has ‘zero’ covid cases in swipe at Trump
KIM Jong-un has unveiled a huge new nuclear missile at a military parade in the North Korean capital Pyongyang.
The tyrant began shedding tears while making a rare speech as he took centre stage during the massive midnight parade, held to mark the 75th anniversary of the country’s ruling party.
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The parade was highly choreographed, with thousands of goose-stepping troops marching in formation accompanied by tanks and other vehicles.
It culminated with Kim taking to the podium to address the nation as the clock struck midnight.
The widely anticipated first appearance of North Korea's new nuclear missile was the climax of the display.
The US Department of Defense later said it would be consulting with its Asian allies to analyse the parade.
Experts said the missile, which was shown on a transporter vehicle with 11 axles, would be one of the largest road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in the world if it becomes operational.
Also displayed were the Hwasong-15, which is the longest-range missile ever tested by North Korea, and what appeared to be a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).
Kim said the missiles weren't targeted at any country in particular.
But he added: "If any force harms the safety of our nation, we will fully mobilize the strongest offensive might in a pre-emptive manner to punish them."
Chad O'Carroll, CEO of the Korea Risk Group, which monitors North Korea, said more new military hardware had been displayed at this event than at nearly any other previous parade.
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Earlier, Kim was emotional and crying visibly as he thanked North Korean citizens for “zero” cases of Covid.
He also took what appeared to be a swipe at the Donald Trump and the United States, which has world's highest number of Covid cases.
"I wish good health to all the people around the world who are fighting the ills of the evil virus," he said.
The video showed Kim make his midnight appearance.
Dressed in a grey suit and tie, he waved to the crowd and accepted flowers from children while surrounded by military officials wearing rows of medals.
During his speech, Kim repeatedly thanked his “great people” for overcoming unexpected burdens and abiding by the anti-virus measures imposed to keep the country .
The claim has been widely questioned by outside observers.
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Kim also extended an olive branch to rival South Korea and said he wanted to “hold hand” with the country – which the North is still technically at war with.
State television began broadcasting edited video of the event later on Saturday after a day of silence about the parade, which was held in Pyongyang's recently renovated Kim Il Sung Square.
Troops were seen marching in the streets in front of the brightly illuminated square.
A military band performed while moving in formation, shaping 10.10, 1945, and 2020" in honour of the anniversary.
Satellite photos had shown Kim Jong-un's military secretly preparing for the event, and experts believe Pyongyang may offer up a "surprise" for the West.
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A senior U.S. administration official on Saturday called North Korea's display of a previously unseen missile "disappointing" and called on it negotiate to achieve a complete denuclearization.
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"It is disappointing to see the DPRK continuing to prioritize its prohibited nuclear and ballistic missile program over working towards a brighter future for the North Korean people," the official said, using the official name of North Korea.
"The United States... calls on the DPRK to engage in sustained and substantive negotiations to achieve complete denuclearization.”
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