**Unveiling at ‘Defense Development 2025’ set to open on the 4th… Displayed alongside Hwasong-20 TEL at military parade**
“The blunt warhead is different from Hwasong-19… Likely increased warhead weight with multiple warheads, etc.”
**North Korea Holds Weaponry Exhibition for Three Consecutive Years**
(Pyongyang, KCNA=Yonhap News) North Korea showcased advancements in its weapon systems by holding a military equipment exhibition akin to a defense industry expo for three consecutive years. The Korean Central News Agency reported on the 5th that the arms exhibition ‘Defense Development 2025’ opened in Pyongyang on the 4th. The opening ceremony was attended by Chairman Kim Jong Un, who delivered a speech. 2025.10.5
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**ICBM presented in early October at a North Korean arms exhibition is analyzed as ‘Hwasong-20′.**
On the 10th, during the 80th anniversary military parade of the Workers’ Party of Korea, North Korea showcased only three Hwasong-20 Transporter Erector Launchers (TEL), identified as its “most powerful nuclear strategic weapon system”, without revealing the actual missiles. However, it’s said that an ICBM, presumed to be the Hwasong-20, was already unveiled at the ‘Defense Development 2025’ exhibition that opened in Pyongyang on the 4th.
The missile was displayed in the center of the exhibition along with the ICBM TEL. At the time, this missile was thought to be the Hwasong-19 ICBM or its modified version, which North Korea publicly revealed last year.
However, the judgment changed during the parade on the 10th when it was referred to as ‘Hwasong-20’ as the same TEL passed by. It adds weight to the possibility that the ICBM beside this TEL in the exhibition might also be the ‘Hwasong-20′.
The Hwasong-20 TEL has 11 axles, identical to the Hwasong-19 TEL, but lacks the vertical launch tube device on the sides, and the launch tube cover has changed from a pointed shape to a blunt one.
The ICBM displayed also has a relatively round warhead compared to the Hwasong-19, suggesting a design that expands the loading space for the warhead, possibly for multiple warhead technology.
The distinctive paint scheme also differs from the Hwasong-19. The Hwasong-19 missile’s warhead featured a checkerboard pattern with black and white, while the missile displayed this time has alternating black and white vertical stripes.
Senior Researcher Hong Min from the Korea Institute for National Unification assessed, “The appearance of the warhead is notably different from Hwasong-19, and the missile shown at Defense Development 2025 is likely a new Hwasong-20.”
Yoo Yong-won, a former military specialist journalist and member of the People Power Party, evaluated that “while it’s hard to distinguish accurately from the publicly released photos, considering the exhibition space arrangement, it cannot be ruled out as Hwasong-20.”
**North Korea Holds 80th Anniversary Military Parade of the Workers’ Party**
(Seoul=Yonhap News) The 80th-anniversary parade of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held on the 10th at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, as reported by the Korean Central TV on the 11th. The photo shows the new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-20. [Korean Central TV Screen] 2025.10.11
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During the Defense Development 2025 exhibition, North Korea prominently featured Chairman Kim Jong Un inspecting the presumed Hwasong-20 missile alongside military leaders.
Last month, North Korea unveiled plans for producing a new high-output solid-fuel engine, stating it would be used in the new Hwasong-20 ICBM.
Analyses suggested that the Hwasong-20 would be developed as a multiple warhead ICBM with increased thrust. It could strike multiple locations in the U.S. mainland simultaneously and is difficult to intercept, interpreted as raising the level of nuclear threat against the U.S.
No test launches of the Hwasong-20 have been conducted so far, suggesting the development is not yet complete. However, given that three Hwasong-20 TELs appeared in the recent parade, there is speculation that a test launch for performance verification might be conducted soon.
kcs@yna.co.kr