North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inaugurates the "Defence Development Exhibition 'Self-Defence-2021'"

October 13, 2021 On Monday, on the 76th anniversary of the ruling 's founding, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inaugurated a new weapons exhibition in the, Pyongyang. Party newspaper reported the event next day. According to Chinese travel agency Young Pioneer Tours, North Korea closed its border to in January 2020.

The outside ceremony started when Kim Jong Un arrived. Attendees, mainly (KPA) officers, party officials and invited defence industry personnel, greeted Kim with "" (Long Live!). High-ranking party officials, and ,  , Marshal  and Kim Jong Un's sister  were also there.

A musical performance by the KPA military band and the Orchestra of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) came before a KPA martial arts demonstration, in it brick breaking with bare fists, bending steel bars with the sternum and jumping over cars. A closed the outdoor sequence, rendering the colours of the  with  on the sky.

Kim Jong Un's opening speech indoors remarked that "the [of South Korea] continue to damage the inter-Korean feelings and emotions" and that "South Korea has been unhesitant on several occasions in disclosing its ambition for securing military supremacy over us under the preposterous excuse of deterring threat from us", but called their military build-up a  effort. He also called on people to support to the defence capabilities of the country, and dedicated the event to analyze their recent achievements in the field.

An award ceremony for servicepersons and others followed with high decorations handed over, including the and  Orders, the  and Kim Jong Il Prizes, the title of, the  and watches signed with the names of  and Kim Jong Il.

After touring the exhibition, Kim Jong Un met with the jet pilots who performed earlier, then left in a limousine.

The exhibition featured missiles, including editions, and  of the Hwasong  series.

In reaction on Tuesday, Moon Hong-sik, a spokesperson for South Korea's said that both the United States and South Korea are analyzing the displayed equipment.