Kim: Hopes for day when North and South take each other's hand again

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday sent good wishes to people affected by the coronavirus pandemic around the world as he took center stage at a military parade in which the country unveiled what appeared to be a new intercontinental ballistic missile to its growing weapons arsenal.

During the speech Kim focused on a domestic message urging his people to remain firm in the face of “tremendous challenges” posed by the coronavirus pandemic and crippling US-led sanctions over his nuclear programme. Kim also used the opportunity to wish good health for people in South Korea and expressed hope for the improvement of the relations between the two nations.

"I also send this warm wish of mine to our dear fellow countrymen in the south, and hope that this health crisis would come to an end as early as possible and the day would come when the north and south take each other's hand again," he said.

The event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the country’s ruling party and was punctuated by thousands of goose-stepping troops, tanks, armored vehicles, rocket launchers and a broad range of ballistic missiles rolled out in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square.