On Wednesday night, North Korea staged a grand military parade in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square to mark the end of the 9th Workers’ Party Congress. Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party, declared in his address that their forces are prepared for any scenario, vowing immediate and devastating retaliation against any military provocation by hostile powers.
The Workers’ Party’s mouthpiece, Rodong Sinmun, devoted pages 9 through 12 of its January 26 edition to provide comprehensive coverage of the parade, framing it as the inaugural military showcase of the party congress’s achievements.
General Secretary Kim observed the parade from the reviewing stand, flanked by the newly elected leadership of the Party’s Central Military Commission. His daughter, Ju Ae, was also spotted at the event.
In his speech, Kim stated that this grand ceremony commemorates our 9th Party Congress, adding that today’s parade will proudly display the resilience through hardship and demonstrate the resolve for a great new chapter.
Addressing global affairs, he argued that in a world where international peace mechanisms are crumbling and military aggression runs rampant, safeguarding the nation’s right to exist and prosper is paramount. He emphasized the military’s readiness to launch swift and severe counterstrikes against any hostile actions threatening the country’s sovereignty and security interests.
Kim further directed that its armed forces must continually evolve into a formidable entity that strikes fear into the enemies, asserting that the military should spearhead progress in socialist construction and break through challenges.
The parade featured an honor guard and over 50 infantry units from various service branches, alongside aerial formations. Airborne troops executed a mass parachute drop, while the Defense Ministry’s central military band, joint military bands, and the Social Security Ministry’s women’s brass band performed military music. The spectacle included night illuminations, fireworks, and a mass games display. An aerial formation traced the number 9 in the sky, symbolizing the party congress, while releasing celebratory flares.
The newspaper described the scene: The square pulsated with the people’s fervent devotion to Kim, embodying the belief that all dreams, ideals, glory, and happiness can only flourish under the red banner of Juche ideology.
Notably, this parade appeared to exclude displays of major strategic weapons such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) or submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). The event primarily showcased marching troops, with only limited artillery equipment visible. Unlike previous parades that prominently featured strategic weapons, this one seemed to prioritize political symbolism and internal cohesion over military might.
Analysts suggest that this parade was primarily designed as a political unity event, reaffirming the party congress’s resolutions through military pageantry. While Kim maintained a hardline stance towards the U.S. and South Korea during the congress, the limited display of strategic weapons indicates a focus on managing internal messaging.
