Overview

• North Korea opened its Defense Development-2025 exhibition in Pyongyang, with Kim Jong Un framing modernization around a strengthened nuclear deterrent.
• State media photos showed ICBMs, cruise missiles, drones and armored vehicles on display, signaling continued advancement of strategic systems.
• Kim accused the U.S.–South Korea alliance of rehearsing nuclear scenarios and said unspecified 'special assets' have been assigned to key targets.
• Analysts are watching the October 10 Workers’ Party anniversary parade for a possible Hwasong-20 ICBM reveal, as South Korea reports large-scale rehearsals in the capital.
• South Korea’s presidential office called for dialogue, while recent intelligence reports point to increased stocks of highly enriched and weapons-grade uranium in the North.