North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has visited a military museum displaying an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the US mainland. Analysts regard the visit as significant, coming amid discussion of a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump.
North Korea’s state news agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported this on Tuesday. According to KCNA, Kim attended the opening ceremony of the newly built Defence Revolution Museum on Sunday. With him were his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and his daughter, Ju Ae. He then toured the museum.
Published photographs show the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile on display alongside various advanced military equipment built during Kim’s rule. The missile is believed to be capable of striking the US mainland.
A day before Kim’s visit, US President Donald Trump had hinted that he might meet the North Korean leader during his coming trip to Asia. Trump is due to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit to be held in China in mid-November. No information on any final decision about a meeting of the two leaders has been received yet.
An eye beyond the United States in the missile’s range
According to Shin Jong-woo, secretary general of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, the display placed in front of the Hwasong-20’s launcher shows a design capable of carrying multiple warheads, and a world map. The map presents the missile’s possible strike range as extending beyond the US mainland to the Middle East, Australia and South America.
Shin believes the display was staged to present the success of Kim’s programme in developing North Korea’s defence science and military technology. An effort to strengthen its strategic position before a possible summit with the United States may also lie behind it.
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