On October 10, North Korea unveiled what it claims is its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile to date—the Hwasong-20—during a military parade in Pyongyang marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party.
The missile, mounted on an 11-axle launcher and powered by a newly tested solid-fuel engine, was showcased alongside other advanced systems, including long-range cruise missiles and drone launch vehicles. Analysts believe the Hwasong-20 may be capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, potentially enhancing its ability to evade missile defenses and signaling a new phase in North Korea’s strategic ambitions.
Leader Kim Jong Un used the occasion to reaffirm North Korea’s stance as a “bulwark for independence” against Western influence, according to state media. Among the foreign dignitaries present was Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, who expressed gratitude for Pyongyang’s support of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. The meeting underscored deepening ties between the two countries, with both sides pledging closer cooperation and shared resistance to what they described as Western hegemony.
These recent events beg the question: amid growing global uncertainty, which countries hold the biggest nuclear stockpiles? Click on to find out.