North Korea has accelerated upgrades at a military parade training base in Pyongyang in recent weeks, NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery has found, likely in preparation to host thousands of soldiers for practices leading up to an expected October parade.

Planet Labs imagery shows workers have paved large grassy lots and repaved other areas of the replica Kim Il Sung Square at the Mirim base in southeast Pyongyang since mid-April.

The multi-story observation tower DPRK leader Kim Jong Un has used to micromanage parade training in the past was also torn down and rebuilt from February to March, according to the imagery.

Though the new structure appears roughly the same size as the old one, it is likely to have been upgraded with more luxurious amenities for Kim. It follows the recent construction of a large observation platform and parking garage for the leader at a live-fire military training base elsewhere in Pyongyang.

The DPRK military has typically used the grassy lots at the Mirim base to park hundreds of troop-carrying trucks, whose arrival has reliably signaled the start of preparations for a parade within the following two months.

For example, troop-carrying trucks arrived at the base eight to nine weeks before military parades held in April 2022 and Feb. 2023, and over 10 weeks in advance of the July 2023 event. 

Imagery in the weeks after the trucks arrive typically shows block formations of troops and weapons vehicles practicing marching and driving in the main open square and mock roads at the site.

Given precedent, it’s possible that trucks and troop formations start to appear at Mirim in early August ahead of an Oct. 10 parade this year.

State media has referred to this coming Oct. 10, the 80th founding anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea’s (WPK), as “the grand festival in October,” while frequently mentioning it as a landmark date and deadline for citizens to work toward. 

High-ranking Russian officials such as Dmitry Medvedev have also already announced plans to visit Pyongyang for the holiday, suggesting a major event such as a parade is in the works.

North Korea has not failed to hold a military parade to mark five and 10-year anniversaries of the Oct. 10 holiday since 1990. 

Kim Jong Un introduced a range of new weapons and missiles at a parade celebrating the 75th party anniversary in 2020, as well as the 70th anniversary in 2015. His predecessor Kim Jong Il oversaw parades marking the 65th anniversary in 2010, the 60th in 2005, the 55th in 2000 and the 50th in 1995.

The current DPRK leader has organized seven military parades since 2020. Three were held in 2023 alone, though the final one in September that year was a scaled down “paramilitary” event. The most recent full-scale military parade was in July 2023.

Kim could use the event this year to showcase new weapons and achievements under his 2021-25 munitions development plan, or preview future goals expected to be revealed at the upcoming ninth party congress. 

Edited by Alannah Hill