North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a military museum showcasing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the US mainland. Analysts view this visit as significant, coming amidst discussions regarding a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump.
North Korea’s state-run media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported this information on Tuesday.
According to the KCNA report, Kim attended the opening ceremony of the newly built ‘Defense Revolution Museum’ last Sunday, accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and his daughter, Ju Ae. He subsequently toured the museum.
Published photographs show the ‘Hwasong-20’ ICBM on display alongside various advanced military hardware developed during Kim’s tenure. The missile is believed to be capable of striking the US mainland.
Kim’s visit took place a day after US President Donald Trump hinted at a possible meeting with the North Korean leader during his upcoming tour of Asia. Trump is scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China in mid-November. However, no final decision regarding a meeting between the two leaders has been announced yet.
Missile Range Extends Beyond the US
According to Shin Jong-woo, Secretary-General of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, the display featuring the Hwasong-20 missile launcher included a design capable of carrying multiple warheads and a world map. The map depicted the missile’s potential strike range as extending beyond the US mainland to include the Middle East, Australia, and South America. Shin believes this exhibition was organized to highlight the success of Kim’s program for developing North Korea’s defense science and military technology. It may also reflect an effort to strengthen the country’s strategic position ahead of a potential summit with the United States.
Kim portrays military successes as enduring achievements
According to analysts, Kim Jong Un is attempting to translate these military achievements—demonstrated through displays of capability—into long-term political success. The new museum is a key component of that strategy.
Lim Eul-chul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, notes that Kim is transforming sites where weapons were previously displayed on a temporary basis into permanent museums. This move aims to institutionalize the nation’s military progress while cementing the achievements of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs as lasting successes.
