North Korea has begun setting up central Pyongyang’s military parade venue for an event, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, suggesting a parade will take place in the coming days to celebrate the end of the ongoing Ninth Party Congress.

Planet Labs imagery shows seating areas at Kim Il Sung Square were covered in red as of noon on Wednesday, likely indicating red carpets, folding chairs and benches for parade attendees have been set up. 

The red areas did not appear in an image taken on Monday, but it’s unclear exactly when the activity started as the square was obscured by clouds on Tuesday. 

NK Pro analysis of imagery around the dates of five military parades held at the same venue since 2020 shows the temporary seating areas have been set up a maximum of three days before the event. There was insufficient imagery for two other parades in that period.

Given that the chairs were set up on either Tuesday or Wednesday, precedent points to a parade between Wednesday and Friday, though a delay is also possible. 

This week’s congress almost certainly must conclude first, however. The military parade celebrating the last congress in Jan. 2021 took place two days after it closed.

All eight of North Korea’s military and paramilitary parades since 2020 have taken place in the evening — after dark or around midnight.

The Ninth Party Congress appeared close to finalizing the only remaining agenda on Tuesday and the event could wrap up on Wednesday, but state media implied sectoral discussions could continue for another day. 

Soldiers have been preparing for the military parade since early November, shortly after a large-scale military parade on Oct. 10. 

Imagery has shown troops and civilians making formations referencing the Ninth Party Congress, suggesting it will be held after the congress ends.

Planet Labs imagery showed 49 block formations of soldiers conducting marching practice as recently as Monday. As each block typically contains 288 soldiers, it appears over 14,000 soldiers will participate in the upcoming event.

It’s still unclear what kind of nuclear missiles and other weapon systems will roll through the square as part of the parade, if any. Pyongyang is likely to promote weapons it decided are top priorities at the congress.

Edited by Bryan Betts