Did North Korea hold a military parade for its party anniversary?

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North Korea Appears to Have Held a Military Parade for its Party Anniversary

South Korea's military detected signs that North Korea conducted a military parade in Pyongyang early on October 10, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party. While North Korean state media has not yet released images of such an event, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff indicated the presence of large-scale military equipment and personnel. Commercial satellite imagery had previously shown thousands of North Korean soldiers participating in marching drills in the weeks preceding the anniversary, suggesting extensive preparations.
Signs of a Military Parade Detected

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported observing indicators of a military parade taking place in Kim Il Sung Square. This observation included the mobilization of significant military equipment and personnel. Authorities from both South Korea and the United States have been closely monitoring the situation to ascertain if this was the primary event for the anniversary celebrations.
Potential for New Weaponry Unveiling

South Korean officials had previously suggested that North Korea might use a parade to showcase new military hardware. Specifically, there was speculation that a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or a submarine-launched ballistic missile could be revealed. Weeks of marching practice by thousands of soldiers, as captured by satellite imagery, further fueled these expectations.
Diplomatic Missions Advised to Exercise Caution

In contrast to previous celebrations where foreign diplomats were often invited, this year, the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang advised diplomatic missions to limit travel within the city. They were also cautioned against approaching the event venue and engaging in photography or videography. This advisory was issued despite North Korea's stringent measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, with the country not reporting any domestic infections.
Prioritizing National Morale Over Pandemic Concerns

The significant gathering for the parade, even amidst a global pandemic, suggests a prioritization of political history and national morale by North Korean authorities. Leif-Eric Easley, an instructor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, commented that this indicates a greater concern for these aspects than for preventing a potential COVID-19 superspreader event. This approach deviates from typical pandemic safety protocols observed globally.
Historical Context of Parades and Political Messaging

North Korea last broadcast a military parade live on television in 2017, featuring numerous large ICBMs during a period of heightened tensions with the United States. While ICBMs were also paraded in February 2018, international media access was restricted. Following these displays, leader Kim Jong-un engaged in diplomatic overtures, including summits with then-US President Donald Trump. The current parade, according to South Korean officials, might serve as a controlled demonstration of power ahead of the US presidential election in November. Chinese President Xi Jinping also extended a congratulatory message to Kim Jong-un for the anniversary, affirming his intent to strengthen bilateral ties.

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Did North Korea hold a military parade for its party anniversary?

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