South Korea: North Korea may hold a military parade on the evening of April 25

A military parade in January 2021 in the capital Pyongyang, North Korea – Photo: KCNA

The parade is said to feature some of North Korea’s latest missiles, including the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that was first test-fired in March. .

North Korea’s three most recent military parades took place at night, and North Korean media did not report the event until the next day.

According to Reuters news agency, North Korean state media did not report on the military parade on the evening of April 25.

Meanwhile, Seoul-based news site NK News reported that at least 12 luminous objects appeared above the center of Pyongyang at around 9:30 p.m. local time on April 25. (19:30 on the same date and time in Vietnam). NK News suggested that this could be a drone or other aircraft, and is a sign that a parade is underway.

In addition, according to NK News, Kim Il Sung Square in the capital Pyongyang was also illuminated, and the crowd moved towards this area.

Meanwhile, according to Kyodo News, North Korea’s Central Television is expected to officially broadcast North Korea’s latest military parade, possibly with a speech by Chairman Kim Jong Un, on the 26th. 4.

Newspaper Chosun Ilbo On April 20, South Korea reported that a civilian satellite image taken by Planet Labs showed that North Korea was preparing for a large-scale military parade. The parade is expected to be held on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army on April 25.

The United States, South Korea and Japan have stepped up monitoring of North Korea over fears Pyongyang could launch an intercontinental ballistic missile or conduct its seventh nuclear test on the anniversary of its military’s founding.

North Korea recently resumed testing an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time since 2017.