SEOUL, 28 Dec. (Yonhap) – Several thousand people in North Korea were spotted in a plaza in central Pyongyang for likely a rehearsal of an event related to the Labor Party congress slated to take place next month, the US site 38 North Saturday (US time).
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A satellite image taken on Saturday showed several thousand people gathered in Kim Il-sung Square “apparently doing a rehearsal for an upcoming event”, forming the letters of “kyeolsaongwi” in Korean, which means “to defend a life” , according to 38 North.
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“At least one parade is expected to take place around the 8th Party Congress in January and a rehearsal has been observed at Mirim airfield,” the site said.
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“Political messages presented on red signs as seen in today’s image are common during this kind of event and it requires rehearsals for perfect timing and accuracy,” 38 North added.
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The site had said earlier that several newly constructed buildings had been observed in Kim Il-sung Square, adding that they could be linked to the 8th Party Congress.
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North Korea plans to hold a Party convention in January for the first time in more than four years, during which it plans to unveil new economic development plans.
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The rare congress is attracting worldwide attention as the Communist regime could also announce its new policy line regarding the United States and South Korea amid deadlocked denuclearization talks.
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South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said earlier that the North could hold a military parade in time for the rally. It would be the first event since the massive military parade held in October to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Labor Party.
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