SEOUL, February 9. /TASS/. The demonstration of military equipment and the presence of members of Kim Jong-un’s family at the parade in honor of the 75th anniversary of the armed forces underscored the North Korean leader’s readiness to keep the situation on the Korean Peninsula under control, Chung Jae-hung, a security strategist from the Sejong Institute, has told TASS.

"Apparently, North Korea seems to be keen to underscore the desire for unification, including through the demonstration of the Hwaseong-17 missile, and the appearance of Kim Jong-un’s daughter Kim Ju-ae in public. The war in Ukraine has shifted the strategic rivalry between the United States and China into high gear. In a situation where the contours of a new cold war are looming on the horizon, North Korea, I think, convincingly showed that it intends to play a leading role in the situation on the Korean Peninsula," said Chung.

He believes that the most important aspect at the military parade was the demonstration of tactical missile units, long-range cruise missiles, Hwaseong-17 intercontinental ballistic missiles, and also, presumably, of a solid-propellant missile.

"This underlined the status of North Korea as a nuclear power in the eyes of both domestic and foreign audiences," the expert said.

"The DPRK sent a message to the Republic of Korea and the United States that, in the event of an attack, it would immediately respond with nuclear weapons. Also, it demonstrated that it would not succumb to pressure from Washington and Seoul," Chung concluded.

Foreign observers also paid attention to Kim Jong-un's clothes at the parade. He wore a hat and a black overcoat, reminiscent of the customary attire of his grandfather, the DPRK’s founder Kim Il-sung. "The black coat and hat, which evoked associations with his grandfather Kim Il-Sung, and his daughter’s presence, were indirect hints at the determination to strengthened the continuity of power in North Korea and to demonstrate the desire for the unification of the Korean Peninsula," the expert said.

On Wednesday, a parade was held in the capital of the DPRK on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Korean People's Army.