North Korea preparing for large-scale concert in capital to mark foundation day



News North Korea preparing for large-scale concert in capital to mark foundation day Construction of stage points to Sept. 9 celebrations despite cancellation of overseas events due to flood relief efforts Chad O'Carroll \| Colin Zwirko September 2, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Wide shot of the stages set up for foundation day celebrations in 2022 \| Image: Rodong Sinmun (Sept. 9, 2022) North Korea appears to be preparing for a large-scale outdoor concert in Pyongyang to celebrate the country’s foundation day on Sept. 9, despite canceling related diplomatic receptions overseas citing recent flood relief efforts, according to NK News analysis of satellite imagery. Planet Labs satellite imagery shows workers constructing a red stage in front of the Mansudae Assembly Hall between Aug. 28 and Sept. 1, 2024, and the work matches the timeline of preparations at the same spot for high-level celebrations attended by leader Kim Jong Un on the Sept. 9 holiday in 2022 and 2023. The construction of the © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

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North Korea preparing for large-scale concert in capital to mark foundation day

Construction of stage points to Sept. 9 celebrations despite cancellation of overseas events due to flood relief efforts

Chad O'Carroll | Colin Zwirko September 2, 2024

North Korea preparing for large-scale concert in capital to mark foundation day

Wide shot of the stages set up for foundation day celebrations in 2022 | Image: Rodong Sinmun (Sept. 9, 2022)

North Korea appears to be preparing for a large-scale outdoor concert in Pyongyang to celebrate the country’s foundation day on Sept. 9, despite canceling related diplomatic receptions overseas citing recent flood relief efforts, according to NK News analysis of satellite imagery.

Planet Labs satellite imagery shows workers constructing a red stage in front of the Mansudae Assembly Hall between Aug. 28 and Sept. 1, 2024, and the work matches the timeline of preparations at the same spot for high-level celebrations attended by leader Kim Jong Un on the Sept. 9 holiday in 2022 and 2023.

The construction of the

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Chad O'Carroll

Chad O'Carroll is the founder of NK News/NK Pro and related holding company Korea Risk Group. In addition to being the group's CEO, O'Carroll is a frequent writer and commentator about the Koreas, having written about the two nations since 2010. He has visited the DPRK multiple times, worked and lived in Washington, D.C. with a focus on peninsula issues, and lived in the ROK since 2016.

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Colin Zwirko

Colin Zwirko is a Senior Analytic Correspondent for NK News based in Seoul. He joined the company in 2018 after receiving a master's degree in international security and foreign policy from South Korea's Yonsei University. Follow him on Bluesky / Twitter.

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