Meet Hwasong-20, North Korea’s deadliest ICBM with a range of…; big worry for US due to…

On Friday, North Korea marked the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea with a grand parade presided by Kim Jong Un, where it debuted Hwasong-20 ICBM.

US North Korea war: North Korea showcased its expansive missile arsenal, including its new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), as the country’s military establishment marked its 8oth anniversary on Friday with a grand parade presided by North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.

How powerful is Hwasong-20 ICBM?

Kim, who was flanked by Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council and a close aide of President Vladimir Putin, described the nuclear-capable Hwasong-20 missile as the “most powerful nuclear strategic weapon”.

According to North Korean state media, the “next-generation” ICBM”, has a range of over 15,000 km, and is powered by a ,1960 kN (200 tf)-thrust engine and 11-axle TEL engine, similar to the one used by its predecessor, the Hwasong-19. The engine is build out of carbon fiber composite, and generates around 40 percent more thrust than the Hwasong-18.

The Hwasong-20 is equipped with an advanced guidance system that combines inertial guidance system (INS) with GPS or optical sensors for enhanced accuracy.

Why there is concern for United States?

North Korea’s Hwasong-20 missile poses a major threat to the United States, primarily due to its extended range, which theoretically allows it to strike any target across the US.  According to state-owned KCNA news agency, the missiles showcased North Korea’s “immense defense capability and astonishing technological progress under Kim Jong Un.”

In his speech, Kim Jong Un, hailed North Korea’s “invincible army” for redoubling the efforts of the country’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea to “ensure a bright future for the nation”.

On Friday, North Korea marked the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea with a grand parade, where it debuted Hwasong-20 ICBM. Earlier, North Korea’s Missile Administration and a chemical materials research center had jointly conducted the ninth and last ground test of Hwasong-20’s engine on September 8 last month, a few days after first details about the new ICBM were made public.