North Korea is emphasizing national unity as it approaches the 93rd anniversary of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army, a force rooted in anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare. Unlike previous years, no large-scale events such as military parades are expected this time.
The Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Thursday that enthusiasm for visiting anti-Japanese battle sites is surging nationwide in commemoration of the 93rd anniversary of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army’s founding.
According to the newspaper, workers, youth, and students from North Hamgyong Province have been visiting revolutionary sites, including Guksabong, Sangdansan, and the Panjang Temporary Secret Base.
The paper noted that these visits are aimed at reinforcing the revolutionary spirit by deeply internalizing the unwavering ideological commitment of the first generation of revolutionaries who, under Kim Il-sung’s leadership, fought against Japanese imperialism and ushered in the dawn of national liberation.
The newspaper also reported that youth and students from South Hamgyong Province, along with workers and students from South Pyongan, North Pyongan, and Rason City, are continually visiting revolutionary sites. These groups are said to be drawing inspiration from the self-reliant fighting spirit of anti-Japanese revolutionary heroes, pledging to greet the 9th Party Congress with groundbreaking achievements.
On Wednesday, members of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea held a resolution meeting at the Guksabong Revolutionary Site in Nampo City, following a tour of the site.
On the same day, North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency published an article titled The Great Journey of the Korean Revolution, Launched with the Birth of a Subjective Armed Force. The article commemorated the founding of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army and emphasized that under Kim Jong Un’s leadership, which champions self-reliance, independence, and self-defense of the revolutionary protection and development for a new era for a powerful nation, the historical goal of building a strong and prosperous nation will undoubtedly be achieved.
The Korean People’s Revolutionary Army is an organization that North Korea claims was established by Kim Il-sung on April 25, 1932, to wage an armed struggle against Japanese imperialism.
Since 1978, North Korea had designated April 25, 1932, as Military Founding Day. However, in 2018, it shifted this to February 8, marking the establishment of the regular army. Despite this change, April 25 has been reinstated as a public holiday, commemorating the founding of the first armed group that became the foundation of the People’s Army.
In past milestone years (every 5 or 10 years), North Korea has held high-profile events like military parades. However, as this year doesn’t mark such an anniversary, large-scale events are not anticipated. North Korea last held a military parade in 2022 to celebrate the 90th anniversary.
Moreover, since the inception of the Trump administration, North Korea has maintained a cautious approach, refraining from major provocations. This suggests that this year’s commemorations will likely focus on bolstering internal unity and encouraging domestic achievements.