[Exclusive] Latest Pyongyang Satellite Images Show Imminent 'Military Parade'

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] North Korea is expected to hold a military parade simultaneously with the closing of the ongoing 8th Party Congress. It is estimated that about 9,000 personnel have gathered at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang. While the purpose seems to be to strengthen internal unity amid the economic crisis, it is anticipated that the scale will be reduced to avoid unnecessary military provocations, as the new U.S. administration's North Korea strategy has not yet been disclosed.

According to satellite images taken by the U.S. North Korea specialist media 38 North on the 5th, about 9,000 personnel in 30 regiments were observed at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang. This is a significant increase from the approximately 2,000 personnel seen in satellite images released last month. Since Chairman Kim took power in 2012, North Korea has held two Party Congresses and nine military parades. However, there has never been a case where a military parade was held simultaneously with a Party Congress.

The unusual decision to hold a military parade appears to be related to the escalating economic crisis caused by a sharp decline in trade with China due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to COVID-19, North Korea is facing natural disasters such as flood damage last summer and inflation, making a political event necessary to rally the people's spirits.

However, the parade is expected to be scaled down, and the unveiling of new weapons will likely be restrained. North Korea announced during the military parade broadcast last October that "73 parade regiments participated." This is twice the expected scale of this year's parade. The disclosure of tactical and strategic weapons is expected to be at the same level or somewhat reduced compared to last year's parade.

Since the Biden administration's specific North Korea strategy has not yet been revealed, the parade will likely be held only to the extent that it can demonstrate presence. The Party Congress, which usually takes place in April or May, is being held unusually in January this year, which is seen as a measure considering the inauguration of the Biden administration (January 20). Chairman Kim's response to President Biden's inaugural address is expected to come at the Supreme People's Assembly at the end of January. The Supreme People's Assembly is also an event that usually takes place in April or May.

South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are closely monitoring whether North Korea will hold the military parade.

According to the aircraft tracking site 'No callsign,' at 12:41 PM on the 6th, the flight path of a U.S. Navy reconnaissance aircraft EP-3E was detected over the Hongcheon area in Gangwon Province. On the 4th, the U.S. military also deployed one Rivet Joint (RC-135W) reconnaissance aircraft and four Guardrail (RC-12X) signal intelligence reconnaissance aircraft belonging to the U.S. Army in South Korea over the Seoul metropolitan area and the frontlines of the East and West Seas.

Shin Jong-woo, Secretary General of the Korea Defense and Security Forum, said, "This week is a politically important time for Chairman Kim, who is in his 10th year in power, so it seems he intends to hold a military parade in conjunction with the Party Congress. However, until the direction of the Biden administration's North Korea policy is understood, no hardline message toward the U.S. is expected."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.