North Korea continues to show its defiance amidst a display of force from the United States. The country held its annual Day of the Sun holiday celebration, which included a parade of its military might. The country's military paraded their weapons and soldiers in front of the Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong-Un.
Flexing its military muscles
During the special holiday, the North Korean military paraded several tanks, missiles, rocket launchers, artillery guns, and several solid-fuel guided missiles.
The released parade footage also showed a number of KN-14 and KN-14 missiles carried on the back of large trucks. The missiles, also known as the Rodong-C, are road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles that were developed by North Korea.
While it is believed that the missiles are not currently capable of hitting any U.S. cities, further development may eventually lead it to have that capability. The missiles can also be modified to become SLBM or Submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
A celebration filled with threats
Kim John Un reportedly did not speak personally at the event, but several high-ranking officials had made several statements in his place. Choe Ryong Hae, who is reportedly the second-most powerful official in North Korea, even went as far as to threaten the United States with an all-out nuclear war if it continues its provocation and threats.
“We will respond to an all-out war with an all-out war and a nuclear war with our style of a nuclear attack,” Ryong Hae had mentioned during the parade.
Expressing its confidence
The state-run news agency, KCNA, broadcasted the entire event and was filled with commentary that expressed the capacity of the country to defend itself should an attack occur.
“Our toughest counteraction against the U.S. and its vessel forces will be taken in such a merciless manner as not to allow the aggressors to survive,” a military statement had said as reported by the news agency.
Increased tension with recent U.S. actions
A naval strike group, which includes the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, is currently now heading to the Korean Peninsula.
The U.S. Navy Nimitz-class supercarrier is accompanied by several other ships, including the USS Wayne E. Meyer guided-missile destroyer and the USS Lake Chaplain guided-missile cruiser.
Amidst the threat of several new nuclear tests, President Donald Trump issued the order to have the strike group head to the North Korean Peninsula. Trump then issued his own statement to Fox Business Network and responded to Kim Jong-Un's threats.
“We are sending an armada, very powerful. We have submarines, very powerful, far more powerful than the aircraft carrier. We have the best military people on Earth. And I will say this: He is doing the wrong thing.” Trump had stated in an interview.
