Overview

• The exhibition opened Oct. 4 in Pyongyang for the third consecutive year, with KCNA photos showing ICBMs, cruise missiles, drones and armored vehicles.
• Kim Jong Un said military modernization is built on a nuclear deterrent and announced that unspecified "special assets" have been assigned to key targets.
• He accused the United States and South Korea of conducting exercises under "nuclear operations guidelines," citing a growing strategic concern.
• Analysts believe the "special assets" likely refer to nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, though North Korea did not specify the systems.
• Observers are tracking the Oct. 10 Workers' Party anniversary parade for a potential Hwasong-20 debut or test as South Korea reports a sharp rise in North Korea’s stocks of highly enriched and weapons-grade uranium.