PYONGYANG. — North Korea's annual arms exhibition, "Defense Development – 2025," opened in Pyongyang on October 4, marking the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The event showcased the latest achievements of the DPRK's defense industry, including missile systems and military hardware, some reportedly integrating artificial intelligence.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech, highlighting the country's progress in strengthening its defense capabilities and issuing a stern warning to the United States and South Korea.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and international media reports, the exhibition featured:
A new supersonic cruise missile and various modifications of ballistic missiles, including a suspected Hwasong-11Ma short-range ballistic missile equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle.
A new tracked short-range air defense system, which analysts suggest bears conceptual resemblance to Russia's Pantsir complex.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) of both helicopter and fixed-wing types, as well as loitering munitions (drones).
Missile systems and military equipment developed with the application of artificial intelligence technologies.
In his address, Kim Jong Un stated that if the United States continues its "dangerous military buildup" in the region, ignoring Pyongyang's concerns, it will "push us to take corresponding military-technical measures." He also claimed that, in response to the military actions of Washington and Seoul, Pyongyang has deployed "special assets" to "key targets of interest" on the Korean Peninsula, cautioning that the territory of South Korea might not be safe.
The exhibition takes place ahead of a large-scale military parade scheduled for October 10 to celebrate the 80th WPK anniversary, during which North Korea is also expected to showcase new weapon systems, possibly including the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile.
The display of advanced weaponry and the North Korean leader's aggressive statements are widely viewed as Pyongyang's attempt to signal its growing military prowess amidst stalled denuclearization talks and intensified joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea.
