South Korean intelligence: Russians appear to have helped North Korea develop intercontinental ballistic missile

North Korea likely received technological assistance from Russia in developing a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which was first demonstrated during a recent military parade, said General Jin Yong-sung, chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Yonhap reported.

This is the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, which the DPRK called "the most powerful strategic nuclear weapons system."

The design of the transport-assembly launcher for the Hwasong-20 missile differs from the previous Hwasong-19 missile, which was first shown in October last year. This gave reason to believe that the country could have received support from Russia in the development.

"I believe there is sufficient possibility," General Jin Yong-sung said at a parliamentary audit meeting, answering a question about the possibility.

In addition to the missile, the DPRK displayed a range of weapons at the parade - from a new hypersonic missile to devices for launching several strike drones.

When asked about the military's ability to respond to a hypersonic missile launch, Jin said that "the accuracy of interception may slightly falter but they can be intercepted." He also acknowledged that South Korea is concerned about the development of new weapons in the DPRK, and the military is preparing to respond to this.

Chin said that new weapons systems need additional technological validation, and to that end, he said, the military is looking to use commercial satellites to enhance surveillance capabilities.

"I believe it is important to take in information in a short time and in a repeated manner, using not only military reconnaissance satellites but civilian satellites. We are pushing to do so," Chin said.

According to Yonhap, South Korea launched its first spy satellite in December 2023. It is equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors capable of capturing detailed images . Since then , the country has launched three more satellites with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors, which collect data regardless of weather conditions. Another SAR satellite is scheduled to be launched this year.

Once all five satellites are launched into orbit, the country is expected to be able to observe North Korea every two hours.

It was previously reported that the DPRK showed off "tank destroyers" based on pickup trucks, which have already been used against Ukraine. They were presented at the "Defense Development 2025" exhibition in Pyongyang.