…watches military parade with daughter
North Korean supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, on Wednesday pledged to strengthen the country’s nuclear weapons programme as he presided over a nighttime military parade in Pyongyang, appearing alongside his teenage daughter at the close of a major ruling party congress.
About 14,000 troops marched through Kim Il Sung Square in the capital, Pyongyang, according to state media.
Soldiers goose-stepped under floodlights while fighter jets flew overhead.
Kim’s daughter, widely believed to be named Ju Ae, stood prominently beside him.
Despite speculation in South Korea that she may be groomed as a successor, no new official titles were announced as the once-in-five-years Workers’ Party congress concluded.
In his closing remarks, Kim reaffirmed plans to expand North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.
He described it as the party’s “firm will” to strengthen national nuclear power and increase both the number of weapons and the means to deploy them.
Yet unlike previous parades, most heavy military hardware was absent.
According to CNN, there were no tanks, intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles or transporter-erector-launchers on display.
North Korea often uses such events to showcase its most advanced weapons, and recent state propaganda has focused heavily on military systems.
Just last week, state media aired footage of Kim appearing to take the wheel of a 600mm multiple rocket launcher described as “nuclear-capable,” with rows of launch vehicles lined up behind him.
Four months earlier, the country staged a large parade marking the ruling party’s 80th anniversary, unveiling what it called its most powerful ICBM and other strategic systems.
The Ninth Workers’ Party Congress also brought leadership changes. Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, was promoted to director of a party department after years serving as a deputy, reinforcing her influence within the inner circle.
Several senior party and military roles were reshuffled, and Kim was unanimously “reelected” as general secretary for another five-year term.
Observers say the toned-down display may reflect both practical and political calculations. Military parades are costly and often used to unveil new equipment.
Repeating the same weapons months after a major anniversary event could lessen their impact.
At the same time, Pyongyang may be signaling discipline while keeping its strategic leverage in reserve.
Alongside his nuclear pledge, Kim repeated plans to develop stronger ICBMs, submarine-launch capabilities, and technologies involving drones and artificial intelligence.
He also left conditional space for talks with Washington, saying prospects for improved relations depend entirely on the “US attitude,” a phrase long used by Pyongyang to call for recognition of its nuclear status and an end to what it calls a “hostile policy.”
The developments come as US President Donald Trump prepares for a visit to China from March 31 to April 2, a trip that could affect regional diplomacy.
Some analysts believe such a visit might open the door to renewed engagement between Trump and Kim, directly or through Chinese mediation.
Notably, Trump made no mention of North Korea during his recent State of the Union address, despite frequently referencing the country during his first term, particularly around his summit meetings with Kim.
During the speech, Trump presented the Medal of Honor to former fighter pilot Royce Williams, a 100-year-old Korean War veteran, drawing bipartisan applause.
The moment highlighted the long shadow of the Korean War even as current tensions were left unaddressed.
North Korea’s strategic position has shifted since the earlier summit era, largely due to its growing partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In June 2024, Kim and Putin signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” agreement that includes a mutual defense clause, deepening ties between the two countries.
State media has since shown Kim welcoming returning North Korean soldiers who fought for Russia in Ukraine and consoling the families of those killed.
Earlier this month, he awarded new apartments to some of those families.
Against that backdrop, Wednesday’s parade, focused more on troops than weapons, appeared aimed at reinforcing unity, loyalty and readiness at home, while keeping the most provocative systems out of view.
Still, the warning to adversaries was clear. State media quoted Kim as saying any violation of the country’s sovereignty would trigger immediate retaliatory strikes.
The remarks came as the United States and South Korea announced that their joint military drills, possibly scaled back, will resume next month.
(CNN)