North Korea Finalizing Military Parade Preparations... Midnight Parade Possible on the 25th

by Yang Nakgyu

Published 20 Apr.2022 07:36(KST)

Updated 20 Apr.2022 07:50(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] North Korea is reported to have completed preparations for a military parade to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (April 25). In particular, given the circumstances of North Korea conducting night exercises involving fighter jets and helicopters, the possibility of a 'midnight military parade' is also being anticipated.

On the 20th, the US-based Radio Free Asia (RFA) analyzed satellite images taken on the 17th of the Mirim Airfield training ground in Pyongyang by the satellite imagery service 'Planet Labs' and reported that more than 12,000 troops were estimated to be gathered.

At the training ground near Mirim Airfield, several rectangular dots believed to be vehicles or large troop formations were observed, along with parking areas filled with vehicles. On the 17th, the US North Korea specialist media '38 North' also reported that thousands of troops and dozens of military vehicles formed formations and marched in rehearsal for the military parade at Kim Il-sung Square, and on the 18th, about 20 fighter jets and 10 helicopters were lined up on the runway at Sunan International Airport.

Also, numerous residents at Kim Il-sung Square were seen holding red flowers or tassels, forming card section slogans. The large tents where they stayed were reportedly installed between the 17th and 18th.

Military and intelligence authorities judge that North Korea will hold a large-scale military parade around the 25th. Authorities expect the number of troops to increase later this week, with more than 20,000 personnel likely to be mobilized on the day.

It is also anticipated that the parade may showcase multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and new short- and medium-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying small nuclear warheads.

North Korea established the Korean People's Army on February 8, 1948, and until 1977, this date was celebrated as 'Army Foundation Day.' From the following year, April 25, 1932, the date when Chairman Kim Il-sung organized the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (anti-Japanese guerrilla forces) in Manchuria, was commemorated as the founding anniversary of the People's Army (Army Foundation Day). Later, in January 2018, the Workers' Party Political Bureau decided to revert February 8 as Army Foundation Day, and from 2020, April 25 was designated as a national holiday and public holiday.