North Korea to Hold Veterans' Rally on June 25 Armistice Day... Kim Jong-un May Send Nuclear Test Message

Veterans' Rally Held for 3 Consecutive Years Amid North Korea Sanctions and COVID-19

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] North Korea, which has virtually completed preparations for its 7th nuclear test, announced that it will hold the National Veterans' Rally for the third consecutive year this year ahead of the Armistice Agreement signing anniversary (July 27).

The Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the 24th, "The 8th National Veterans' Rally will be held in the capital Pyongyang to celebrate the great Victory Day, which is a great pride and honor of our dignified state and people."

Rodong Sinmun stated about this veterans' rally, "It will be a meaningful occasion for our people and the new generation of youth, who boldly open a new phase of socialist construction by overcoming all challenges and difficulties, to continue to shine the noble tradition of July 27."

Although the exact date of the event was not disclosed, considering previous cases, it is highly likely that it will be held around the 27th of this month, the 69th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement, which North Korea commemorates as Victory Day.

The veterans' rally was first held in 1993 during the rule of National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il on the 40th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement, and since the rule of State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, it has been held on the 59th (2012), 60th (2013), 62nd (2015), 65th (2018), 67th (2020), and last year on the 68th anniversary.

Attention is focused on whether Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, will attend this veterans' rally and deliver a message related to the 7th nuclear test. The U.S. Department of Defense and our Ministry of National Defense believe there is a high possibility that North Korea will carry out the 7th nuclear test around the 27th.

Moreover, with the prolonged sanctions against North Korea, natural disasters, and the outbreak of COVID-19 worsening livelihoods, it is expected that messages emphasizing Kim Il-sung's activities during the Korean War will be delivered to strengthen internal unity.

On the same day, the newspaper introduced statues of 'Youth Heroes' erected in correctional facilities and workplaces across the country on its front page, and in another article, it encouraged loyalty to the leader by stating that Kim Il-sung "led the dangerous front lines during the most difficult times of the war, hastening the Victory Day."

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