Rehearsal under way for imminent N. Korean military parade: JCS

▲ This file photo, released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency, shows a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on display during a military parade, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang on the night of July 27, 2023, to mark the 70th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

S Korea-NK military parade

Rehearsal under way for imminent N. Korean military parade: JCS

SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Yonhap) -- North Korea is conducting a rehearsal for a military parade marking a key party anniversary, which is likely expected to take place Friday night, South Korea's military said.

The North marks the founding anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on Oct. 10 each year, with mass celebrations usually taking place in years ending in zero or five. This year marks the party's 80th founding anniversary.

"(North Korea) is conducting a rehearsal involving equipment and missile," an official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) told reporters, saying the event is likely to take place at nighttime.

Since 2020, North Korea has staged all seven of its most recent military parades at night.

The JCS official said the North is likely to hold the military parade regardless of showers forecast for Pyongyang later in the day, but said the weather conditions may affect the mobilization of air assets.

The South's military earlier said North Korea is preparing for a large-scale military parade involving tens of thousands of people.

Analysts have raised the view that Pyongyang may showcase the next-generation Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) under development during the military parade or test-launch it around the anniversary.

The JCS official did not elaborate on the possibility of North Korea disclosing the new ICBM during the military parade. The North usually discloses photos and information on its military parade the following day through state media reports.

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