Satellite imagery captured on Tuesday revealed North Korea’s preparations for a large-scale military parade ahead of its 9th Workers’ Party Congress. While General Secretary Kim Jong Un has been focusing on regional inspections recently, preparations for the party congress appear to be progressing as planned in Pyongyang.
38 North, a North Korea-focused publication by the U.S.-based Stimson Center, analyzed satellite photos taken by Planet Labs. The analysis showed hundreds of troops at the Mirim Training Ground (formerly Mirim Airport) east of Pyongyang, forming parade formations resembling the Workers’ Party symbols of hammer, sickle, and brush. These drill formations are typical of North Korea’s preparations for major political events.
The Mirim Training Ground, designed to mimic Kim Il Sung Square, is North Korea’s primary site for rehearsing large-scale military parades and mass rallies. The scale of troop formations and nature of the drills observed in these images strongly suggest an impending military parade.
While North Korea has yet to announce the exact dates for the 9th Workers’ Party Congress, recent events point to a mid-February timeline. On January 24, representatives from local party organizations held meetings, followed by a Central Committee gathering on January 30. Typically, the party congress occurs within 2-3 weeks of such meetings.
However, General Secretary Kim’s recent focus on regional inspections and announcements of major construction achievements suggest he’s still compiling accomplishments ahead of the congress. This could potentially push the event to after the Lunar New Year holiday. Kim has emphasized that regional living standards are emblematic of national progress, highlighting his strategy of advancing the country through localized development initiatives.