North Korean soldiers appear to be gathering at a key base in Pyongyang to begin large-scale training for an upcoming military parade, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery.

The apparent preparations come as leader Kim Jong Un earlier called for holding major celebrations around the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War on July 27. Pyongyang previously held military parades on the 60th war anniversary in 2013 and the 40th in 1993.  

If slated for July, the event will be North Korea’s seventh military parade in under five years. Pyongyang typically shows off new nuclear weapons and other capabilities at the pageants, having used the most recent parade on Feb. 8 this year to introduce a solid-fuel ICBM two months ahead of the system’s first test launch. 

In a sign of preparation for the next parade, Planet Labs imagery shows hundreds of likely troop-carrying trucks parked in large grass lots at the Mirim military parade training grounds on May 14, having arrived after May 12. 

A closer look at the likely troop-carrying trucks captured on May 14 appears in high resolution in the top left and a new structure inside the secure vehicle compound appears on the bottom right (please refresh page if images do not load) | Images: Planet Labs, edited by NK Pro

Such a large number of trucks have only appeared in these lots surrounding the replica Kim Il Sung Square marching area at Mirim ahead of actual parades, according to NK Pro analysis of Planet Labs imagery of the complex taken almost every day since 2016.

They have appeared at Mirim around seven to 10 weeks before the actual parade date on most occasions, though the activity started earlier or later a few times as well. Their appearance this time comes a little over 10 weeks before the possible July 27 parade date.

Available imagery has yet to show signs of troop formation marching practice at Mirim. This activity typically occurs daily in satellite imagery for at least a few weeks prior to a parade. 

Elsewhere at Mirim, imagery shows construction on a new hotel inside the complex is ongoing after resuming in March. The project, possibly intended as lodging for soldiers during extended military parade training in the future, started in mid-2020 before largely stalling until this year. 

Slide to compare the new hotel construction site at Mirim on Feb. 20 (left), when evidence of tents used by soldiers during that month’s military parade training still visible after their removal, and on May 14 (right), when new construction worker tents had been installed and progress on outdoor decorations was apparent (please refresh page if images do not load) | Images: Planet Labs; edited by NK Pro

Workers have also built another small structure inside a highly secure military vehicle garage compound at Mirim since late April, Planet Labs imagery shows. Its size and location in the corner of the compound, however, suggest it is not another garage for missile launchers. 

Meanwhile, the monument and outdoor weapon display area at the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum in central Pyongyang has been undergoing major renovations since late February, according to Planet Labs imagery.

This could simply be in preparation for more visitors on the major July 27 anniversary this year. It could also be a sign that there will be another big event or conference for war veterans outdoors on the anniversary, after Kim Jong Un hosted such events there in each of the last two years.

Edited by Arius Derr