North Korea Mocks South Korea’s Military Parade

North Korea Mocks South Korea’s Military Parade
North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of leader Kim Jong Un, sharply criticized the military parade held in Seoul this week to commemorate Armed Forces Day, labeling it a “clown show” in a statement carried by state media KCNA on Thursday.
Criticizing South Korea’s Capabilities
Kim Yo Jong disparaged the South Korean military capabilities showcased during the parade, including the display of the Hyunmoo-5 missile. “Who could talk about ‘end of regime’ by showing off what is such a uselessly bulky weapon,” she was quoted as saying by KCNA. **Downplaying U.S. Involvement** The North Korean official also downplayed the participation of a U.S. B-1B bomber in the flypast during the parade. “It’s just a toy,” Kim Yo Jong remarked.
South Korea’s Deterrence Strategy
Military officials in South Korea emphasized that the parade was intended to showcase the nation’s military strength as a deterrent to North Korea, which has been known to hold parades featuring intercontinental ballistic missiles.
President Yoon’s Warning
In a speech preceding the parade, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared that if North Korea were to employ nuclear weapons, it would mark the end of its regime.
Details of the Parade
The parade, held at a Seoul air base, showcased approximately 5,300 troops, 340 types of military equipment, and aircraft flypasts. A smaller-scale parade took place in downtown Seoul, attracting numerous spectators.