Fact Check: "North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un showcased his country's nuclear arsenal during a military parade on April 25, 2023, marking the North Korean Army's 75th birthday."
What We Know
The claim states that Kim Jong Un showcased North Korea's nuclear arsenal during a military parade on April 25, 2023, which was purportedly held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the North Korean Army. However, the actual military parade marking this anniversary took place on February 8, 2023, not April 25. This event featured various military displays, including rocket launchers, but it was not specifically noted for showcasing nuclear weapons (AP News, Sky News).
Additionally, the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army (KPA) was celebrated with a grand military parade at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, where Kim Jong Un was present along with foreign dignitaries (Wikipedia, NBC News).
Analysis
The assertion that the parade occurred on April 25 is factually incorrect; the KPA's 75th anniversary was celebrated on February 8, 2023. This misrepresentation of the date undermines the credibility of the claim. Furthermore, while there were reports of missile displays during the parade, the specific mention of showcasing a nuclear arsenal is misleading. The focus of the event was on conventional military capabilities and not explicitly on nuclear weapons (Reuters, Sky News).
The sources that reported on the event, including the AP News and NBC News, provide a more nuanced view of the military parade, emphasizing the presence of Kim Jong Un and the general military display without specifically highlighting nuclear capabilities. This suggests that while North Korea continues to develop its military technology, the claim exaggerates the specifics of what was presented during the parade.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that Kim Jong Un showcased North Korea's nuclear arsenal during a military parade on April 25, 2023, is incorrect. The parade celebrating the 75th anniversary of the North Korean Army took place on February 8, 2023, and while military hardware was displayed, there is no substantial evidence that a nuclear arsenal was specifically showcased at this event.
Sources
- Kim Jong Un hosts Chinese and Russian guests at a parade celebrating ...
- Missiles on display at North Korea parade
- Military parades in North Korea
- North Korea military parade: Kim Jong Un shows off ballistic missiles ...
- KPA 75th Anniversary Parade
- Kim Jong Un shows off North Korea's growing nuclear arsenal at military ...
- Kim Jong Un shows off daughter and missiles at North Korean parade
- North Korea's Kim lauds army before expected military ...
