North Korea holds military parade to mark key anniversary, says Seoul military source
- Monday’s parade, celebrating 90th anniversary of founding of nation’s army, is said to have started around 10pm local time in the capital, Pyongyang
- Event widely expected to showcase nuclear-armed North Korea’s most sophisticated weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles
North Korea kicked off a much-anticipated military parade on Monday, a South Korean military source said, commemorating a major army holiday with a show of strength at a time when Pyongyang has accelerated weapons testing.
The nuclear-armed country stages military parades to mark important holidays and events that feature thousands of goose-stepping troops followed by a cavalcade of armoured vehicles and tanks and culminating with the key missiles Pyongyang wants to display.
Observers closely monitor these events for clues on North Korea’s latest weapons development.
Monday’s parade to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army began at around 10pm local time (1300 GMT) at the Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, the source said.
It was widely expected to showcase the North’s most sophisticated weaponry including the “monster” Hwasong-17 ICBM as well as hypersonic and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
North Korea has held three nighttime military parades in recent years, with state media only reporting on the events the next day. As of Monday night, there were no reports on the latest parade.
