North Korea Sends Invitation to Chinese Media... "Parade to be Held on the 9th"

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It has been reported that North Korea distributed invitations to media outlets in neighboring countries a day before the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the regime (September 9). This indicates North Korea's intention to hold a large-scale military parade in Pyongyang.

On the 8th, a government official said, "North Korea recently sent invitations to media outlets in neighboring countries such as China," adding, "The invitation is to attend the military parade, and China is expected to broadcast it live."

This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the regime's founding, which is not a so-called 'jubilee year' falling on 5 or 10-year intervals, but the military authorities believe there is a possibility of holding a parade on the founding anniversary based on the preparations at Pyongyang's Mirim Airfield.

North Korea already held military parades last October 10 for the Party Foundation Day and on January 14 this year to commemorate the 8th Party Congress, so holding an additional parade is a fully plausible scenario. In 2018, North Korea held two parades: one in February to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the military's founding and another in September for the 70th anniversary of the regime's founding.

Since military parades were held late at night last October and this January, there is interest in whether this parade will also be held at night. Recently, fighter jets flying at night over Pyongyang have been spotted, leading to speculation that a 'night airshow' might be in preparation. Some analysts suggest that if China broadcasts live, it might be difficult to do so at night.

North Korea's intention to hold a military parade appears to be aimed at fully enhancing the patriotic atmosphere of the national anniversary while strengthening internal unity. Amid prolonged sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and successive natural disasters, North Korea is in a desperate situation to soothe residents' discontent and boost loyalty.

Considering this, North Korea may once again showcase submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) during the parade. Our military views this as a countermeasure in response to North Korea's effective deployment of SLBMs.

North Korea unveiled the Pukguksong-5 during the military parade commemorating the 8th Party Congress in January. It is evaluated to have an increased warhead weight compared to the Pukguksong-4ㅅ (Siot) revealed at the Workers' Party 75th anniversary parade last October.

The SLBM unveiled at that time clearly showed the inscription 'Pukguksong-5 ㅅ.' This indicates it is an improved version of the previously revealed Pukguksong-4ㅅ. North Korea tested the Pukguksong-1 (estimated range 1,300 km) from a Sinpo-class submarine in August 2016 and conducted underwater launch tests of the Pukguksong-3 (estimated range 2,000 km) in October 2019. Analysts suggest that the Pukguksong-5ㅅ has a longer warhead length than the Pukguksong-4ㅅ revealed last year, indicating a move toward a multiple warhead type.

At the Ministry of National Defense regular briefing that day, Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs Officer Kim Jun-rak stated, "The military is closely monitoring and tracking preparations for large-scale events such as the upcoming military parade linked to North Korea's internal schedule through close cooperation between South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities."

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