State unions held concerts before the Oct. 10 anniversary, while satellite imagery points to preparations for a possible event at an airfield in Pyongyang.
North Korea is holding a series of events ahead of the 81st anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, which falls on Saturday, Oct. 10. Yonhap, citing the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, reported that the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea and the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea held separate concerts on Thursday.
China’s Ambassador to Pyongyang Wang Yajun delivered a flower basket to the ruling party on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The Chinese Embassy sent a separate basket, while other foreign missions, including those of Vietnam, Iran and Cuba, also sent flowers, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Radio Free Asia reported that satellite images taken on Wednesday showed military personnel and vehicles at three locations at Mirim Airport in Pyongyang. The broadcaster said the activity appeared smaller in scale than preparations for earlier military parades. A South Korean government official confirmed signs of personnel and equipment but said it was too early to know whether a parade would take place.
North Korea traditionally marks anniversaries ending in zero or five with large military parades, mass performances and weapons displays. The 81st anniversary is not a round-number milestone, and the reported activity at the airfield does not by itself confirm that a parade will be held.