"North Korea Prepares Large-Scale Military Parade Near Kim Il-sung Square"

AP News, Satellite Image Analysis Report
Possibility of SLBM Launch Continues to Be Raised

The U.S.-based North Korea-focused media outlet 38 North released satellite images on the 1st (local time) showing Pyongyang's Mirim Airfield taken on the 31st of last month.
Based on these images, 38 North reported that thousands of troops gathered in an area modeled after Pyongyang's Kim Il-sung Square, and hundreds of mobile equipment vehicles were parked in formation in a nearby parking lot, stating this is "the first evidence that a rehearsal for the 75th anniversary military parade of the Workers' Party is underway."
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Associated Press reported on the 18th (local time) that North Korea is preparing for a military parade to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party on the 10th of next month.

Based on photos provided by the U.S. satellite imagery company Maxar, the AP reported that North Korea is preparing a large-scale military parade despite strengthening measures to respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The AP reported that the satellite images taken on the 17th show thousands of people gathering in formation near Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, rehearsing for the military parade.

Earlier, the U.S.-based North Korea specialist media 38 North reported on the 15th, based on satellite images, that North Korea is intensively preparing for the military parade at Pyongyang Mirim Airfield.

Mirim Airfield, located east of Pyongyang, is the place where equipment and troops are assembled ahead of the military parade.

Several major foreign media outlets also reported on the same day, based on photos provided by Maxar, that scenes of North Korea’s military parade preparations were captured, and some observers said North Korea might showcase its largest missile for the first time since 2018.

In this regard, Harry Kazianis, director of Korean studies at the U.S. Center for the National Interest, said on the 2nd that he had conversations with White House officials and strongly suspects that North Korea will reveal a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) during the military parade.

There is also ongoing analysis that North Korea might conduct a test launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). North Korea declared last October that it had successfully test-launched the SLBM Pukguksong-3.