Kim Jong-un shows daughter icbm 'covering US territory'

Leader Kim Jong-un, accompanied by his wife and daughter, visited an exhibition showcasing North Korea's advanced weapons, including the nation's most powerful Hwasong-20 icbm.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) today released photos of Kim Jong-un, his wife, and daughter at the opening of the Defense Revolution Museum in Pyongyang on 11/10. They toured an exhibition featuring various weapons and military equipment developed under Kim's leadership, including the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which North Korea describes as its "most powerful strategic nuclear weapon."

Shin Jong-woo, General Secretary of the South Korea Defense and Security Forum, noted that the display indicated the missile can carry multiple warheads. Its range extends beyond the US mainland, reaching South America, the Middle East, and Australia.

Kim Jong-un and his family view the Hwasong-20 icbm at the Defense Revolution Museum on 11/10. Photo: KCNA

Shin suggested the exhibition aims to highlight achievements in Kim Jong-un's defense science program. He views it as a media effort to gain strategic leverage ahead of a potential summit between North Korea and the US.

The KCNA on 13/10 also announced North Korea successfully tested a tactical ballistic missile. This confirmed an upgrade to a key component, marking a significant step in enhancing the performance of all offensive weapon systems. The South Korean military reported on 12/10 that North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles into eastern waters. The reason for the discrepancy in the number of missiles announced by the two sides remains unclear.

This news from KCNA came one day after President Donald Trump indicated he might meet Kim Jong-un during a mid-November trip to Asia. The Hwasong-20 was first revealed early 9/2025, when KCNA reported on Kim's visit to a research institute under the Missile Bureau. The Hwasong-20 complex also appeared one month later in a large-scale military parade at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang.

The missile features a new generation solid-fuel engine, made from carbon fiber composite, achieving a thrust of 200 tons. This marks a significant improvement over North Korea's previous models.

Kim and his family walk beside a missile launcher vehicle at the Defense Revolution Museum on 11/10. Photo: KCNA

Ankit Panda, a missile expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in the US, noted last year that the Hwasong-20 incorporates multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (mirv) technology. He stated, "a ballistic missile carrying multiple warheads will help North Korea increase pressure, potentially penetrate enemy defenses, and enhance its effective deterrence capabilities."

While specific parameters remain undisclosed, the Hwasong-20 likely boasts a greater flight range than previous icbm models. North Korea first acquired missiles capable of covering the entire US territory after successfully testing the Hwasong-15 with a 13,000 km range in 2017. The Hwasong-18, tested in 2023, is capable of striking targets at a distance of 15,000 km, while the Hwasong-19 version has an even higher range and payload.