Satellite imagery shows what appear to be North Korea’s preparations a major celebration next month marking the 80th anniversary of the communist country’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea.
Why It Matters
Celebration, held every five years on October 10, is considered a major landmark for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s regime, which typically marks the occasion with military parades and sometimes the unveiling of new military capabilities.
The preparations come amid flaring tensions with U.S.-allied South Korea as the North continues to expand its nuclear weapons programs and test increasingly advanced ballistic missiles. Kim, in a major address before the country’s rubber-stamp parliament on Saturday, reiterated his pledge never to give up these United Nations-sanctioned programs, citing “severe” threats to security posed by the U.S.-led alliance.
Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in Beijing, China, by email with a request for comment.
What To Know
A satellite photo captured September 21 by one of the European Space Agency”s Sentinel-2 satellite shows increased activity at the staging grounds for the celebration near Mirim Airport, a few miles east of the North Korean capital Pyongyang.
Korean People’s Army personnel are visible in columns during a rehearsal, as well as military vehicles and equipment, according to a South Korean official speaking to Yonhap News Agency on condition of anonymity. Among the assets identified were transporter erector launchers, used to fire intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) such as the Hwasong-19, believed to be capable of reaching the continental U.S.
It will be the first gala marking the party’s founding since the 75th anniversary in 2020. Festivities held then, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, showcased several ICBMs and a new battle tank.
The source said satellite imagery showed preparations began in early July.
What People Are Saying
Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of North Korea, said in his Saturday address to the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly, according to an English-language readout released by state media: “Our Party and government are also making a steady leap forward in strengthening the defense capabilities of the state.
“Besides, we have possessed new, secret weapons, and made many achievements in defense science, which would make a great contribution to boosting our military forces more radically.”
What’s Next
Kim likely views the parade as an opportunity to strengthen his international position and has invited senior officials from defense treaty allies China and Russia to attend, according to the JoongAng Daily.