Kim Jong-un's Speech Containing Messages to South Korea and the U.S. Draws Attention
5th Night Military Parade... Detailed Report Expected on the 9th
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] North Korea is believed to have held a military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army. This is the fifth nighttime military parade.
According to military authorities on the 8th, North Korea began the pre-parade ceremony around 8:30 PM at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, followed by the main event.
It is not confirmed whether Chairman Kim Jong-un attended, but considering that he has attended all but one of the twelve military parades held since he came to power, it is highly likely that he attended this time as well. Attention is focused on what kind of messages toward South Korea and the United States he might deliver if he gives a speech. Kim has personally appeared and delivered speeches at military parades five times: in 2012, 2015, 2018, 2020, and last year.
North Korea Holds Military Parade for the 90th Anniversary of the Founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army [Image Source=Yonhap News]
At last year’s military parade, Kim appeared wearing a marshal’s uniform with a grand marshal’s shoulder insignia and declared, "We will not keep nuclear weapons only for war deterrence but will use them if there is an attempt to infringe on national interests." This implied the possibility of a preemptive nuclear strike if necessary. Notably, the parade showcased a full range of nuclear delivery systems, from short-range ballistic missiles aimed at South Korea to new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) such as the Hwasong-17, and new submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM).
This year’s parade reportedly mobilized about 22,000 personnel, marking the largest scale ever, and there is speculation that many new strategic weapons that have not yet been publicly revealed or test-fired will be displayed. U.S. experts have predicted the appearance of new cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, 600mm super-large multiple rocket launchers, and stealth drones.
Earlier on the same day, around 1 AM, North Korea appeared to conduct activities consistent with a military parade, such as flying aircraft over Kim Il-sung Square, but this was reported to be a rehearsal. Considering that previous parades were held in the early morning or late at night and then broadcast the next day, it is expected that state media will announce the parade on the morning of the 9th at the earliest, followed by a broadcast of the parade scenes on Korean Central TV.
This is the fifth time North Korea has held a nighttime military parade. In the past, parades were usually held in the morning, but the last four nighttime parades were held on October 10, 2020, for the 75th anniversary of the Workers' Party founding; January 14, 2021, for the 8th Party Congress; September 9, 2021, for the 73rd anniversary of regime establishment; and April 25 last year, for the 90th anniversary of the founding of the anti-Japanese guerrilla (Partisan) forces.
Nighttime parades are believed to have been chosen to maximize lighting effects and create a festive atmosphere with fireworks, aiming to strengthen internal cohesion.
Meanwhile, February 8 marks the day in 1948 when the Korean People's Army, North Korea’s regular army, was founded at Pyongyang Station Square, also called 'Founding Day.' From 1978, the founding day was changed to April 25, 1932, the founding day of the anti-Japanese guerrilla (Partisan) forces, and commemorated as such. However, on January 22, 2018, the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party Central Committee decided to restore the original date, and on February 8 of that year, the 70th anniversary military parade was held. North Korea, which places importance on milestone anniversaries occurring every five years, held this year’s 75th anniversary Founding Day parade following the 70th, signaling its intention to strengthen military power.
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