Kim Jong-un sheds tears as he delivers rare apology to North Korea over failings

[LudwigPastorius]

33. They buried the lede.

At this event, North Korea debuted a new "heavy" ICBM which is presumed to be able to hit any target in the continental United States.

https://www.38north.org/2020/10/vdiepenmelleman101020/

we estimate the new missile could, in principle, deliver 2,000-3,500 kg of payload to any point in the continental United States—much greater than the Hwasong-15’s assessed 1,000 kg payload capability to the same range.

But why would the North Korean’s need or want such a big missile? Especially since the Hwasong-15 would appear to have sufficient range/payload capability and room for improvement to meet North Korea’s operational targeting needs, and is much easier to move and conceal.

...there may be operational reasons to make such a large missile. The North may want to be able (or to be seen as able) to deliver a much larger payload to anywhere in the US.

...the North may have decided that it wanted to possess or portray the capability to deliver a “super heavy” single large thermonuclear reentry vehicle against US cities for political or deterrent effect.