Ministry of Unification "Monitoring North Korea's Military Parade Trends... Caution Against COVID-19 Resurgence"

"Closely Tracking Korea-US Cooperation... Preparing for All Possibilities"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The Ministry of Unification evaluated that North Korea is showing signs of caution against the resurgence of COVID-19. Recently, North Korea issued a lockdown order in Pyongyang citing respiratory illnesses, leading some to speculate that the country might be facing difficulties in preparing for the military parade.

On the 31st, a Ministry of Unification official told reporters, "Recently, the Rodong Sinmun emphasized that epidemic prevention is the top national priority and reported on the need to strengthen the local epidemic prevention foundation," expressing this assessment.

Ministry of Unification [Photo by Yonhap News]

However, regarding the recent issuance and lifting of the lockdown order in the Pyongyang area, the official maintained a cautious stance, saying, "There has been no official report from North Korean media so far, so there is nothing special to report."

Additionally, the Ministry of Unification stated that it is closely monitoring North Korea's military parade preparations while preparing for various possibilities, including provocations.

A Ministry of Unification official emphasized, "The government is closely tracking the movements of North Korea's key facilities and areas in close cooperation with the United States," adding, "We will thoroughly check the related situation and prepare for all possibilities."

North Korea is expected to hold a military parade on July 8, marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army (Kangunjeol). The National Intelligence Service also anticipates this period as the likely time for the parade. The military parade is an important event for North Korea to showcase its military power domestically and internationally and to strengthen regime unity, with particular interest in the appearance of new strategic weapons. There is also a possibility that Chairman Kim Jong-un might make a nuclear-related "bombshell statement" or conduct the 7th nuclear test around the time of the parade.

Meanwhile, North Korea imposed a lockdown in Pyongyang for five days starting from midnight on the 25th, citing a circulating cold (influenza) and other reasons, leading to analyses that the parade preparations might be disrupted. Although the Russian Embassy in North Korea announced the "lifting of the lockdown" the day before, there has been no news of the parade preparations resuming.