South Korea unveiled a ballistic missile capable of carrying an eight-ton warhead and included a US bomber at military parades in Seoul, Reuters reports.
It was an annual show of force to signal readiness to respond to North Korean threats.
The Hyunmoo-5 missile, successfully tested last year, was displayed at the Armed Forces Day parade at an air base in Seoul, featuring about 5,300 troops, 340 types of military equipment and aircraft. Another smaller parade was held in downtown Seoul, drawing thousands of spectators.
For decades, such military parades were rare in South Korea. Last year, however, President Yun Suk-yeol revived the tradition of holding them annually in line with his mantra of "peace through strength".
Military officials said today's parade was partly intended to demonstrate South Korea's military might as a deterrent to North Korea, which often parades weapons such as intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The South Korean parade also included a flyover by a US B-1B strategic bomber for the first time, and the US Eighth Army Band and the Stryker Armored Brigade also took part.
In a speech before the parade, Yun warned Pyongyang not to use nuclear weapons and ridiculed its "illegal military cooperation" with Russia.
He also welcomed the launch of the Strategic Command, which is tasked with responding to North Korea's weapons of mass destruction.
"If North Korea tries to use nuclear weapons, it will face a decisive, strong response from our military and the U.S. alliance," Yun vowed. "This day we will see the end of the North Korean regime.".
Called a "monster missile" by South Korean media, the Hyunmoo-5 was the centerpiece of the parade. It is specifically designed to penetrate underground bunkers.
The military described it as a "super-powerful ballistic missile".
The Hyunmoo-5 is categorized as a short-range missile, but if equipped with a one-ton warhead - typical of ballistic missiles - its range could exceed 5,000 km.
The presidency said the missile plays a key role in the "three-axis" the country's defense system aimed at neutralizing the North's nuclear provocations, including war plans that call for preemptive strikes if necessary.
Hours before the ceremony, Kim Kang-il, North Korea's vice defense minister, criticized the planned B-1B bomber flyover and accused Washington of committing a "reckless military bluff" by recently sending a nuclear submarine to South Korea.