North Korea showcases banned missiles at military parade; see pics | Photogallery

North Korea showcased intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at a huge military parade organised to mark the founding anniversary of its armed forces. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to bolster country’s nuclear arsenal while overseeing the parade. According to reports, Pyongyang has stepped up testing of missiles and displays of military power as denuclearisation talks with the United States have stalled and a new conservative administration takes power in rival neighbouring country South Korea. US and South Korean officials have apprehension that North Korea is preparing to resume testing its nuclear weapons. “The nuclear forces of our Republic should be fully prepared to fulfil their responsible mission and put their unique deterrent in motion at any time,” Kim Jong Un told the gathering, according to KCNA. He further added that the fundamental mission of the North’s nuclear force was deterrence, but that its use “can never be confined to the single mission”. “If any forces try to violate the fundamental interests of our state, our nuclear forces will have to decisively accomplish an unexpected second mission,” Kim said.

 (Reuters)