The Korean Central News Agency says the parade took place at a square in Pyongyang. Delegates from China and Russia were in attendance. Their presence was an apparent show of solidarity with the North in the face of US pressure.

It was the North's first military parade since February.

North uses parades to demonstrate military power

North Korea often uses large-scale parades to show off its latest military hardware.

In October 2020, the country held a parade to mark the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the ruling Workers' Party. It used the occasion to unveil the Hwasong-17, a liquid fuel-type intercontinental ballistic missile mounted on a 22-wheel mobile launch pad. The missile is said to be capable of reaching anywhere in the US.

Another missile, the Pukguksong-4, was unveiled at the same parade. The Pukguksong-5 was displayed at a parade three months later. They are believed to be new types of submarine-launched ballistic missiles, or SLBM.

And at a parade this February celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the military, the country showed off the fruits of its rapid missile development. A new Hwasong-18 was displayed alongside more than ten Hwasong-17s. The military says it is a new type of solid-fuel ICBM class missile that can be launched faster than liquid fuel models. It was mounted on an 18-wheel mobile launch pad.

This parade was also notable for the presence of leader Kim Jong Un's daughter. It was her first appearance at a military parade.