Posted on : Aug.23,2018 16:45 KST
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A satellite image of a military parade training ground in Mirim, Pyongyang, taken on Aug. 12. (38 North website)
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No signs of launchers for ICBMs or unmanned drones in satellite images
It is expected that the scale of North Korea’s military parade to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Day of the Foundation of the Republic on Sept. 9 will be even greater than the Army Day celebration in February.
According to 38 North, a media outlet dedicated to North Korean news, analysis of images taken by a commercial satellite on Aug. 12 of a military parade training facility in Mirim, Pyongyang, reached the conclusion that based on the length of preparation time and speed at which the training was taking place, the military parade for Sept. 9 would be equal or greater in scale than the parade held in February.
The first image which revealed preparations for the Sept. 9 celebration was captured via satellite on July 24, depicting several military vehicles parked at the Mirim Parade Training Ground.
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A satellite image of a military parade training ground in Mirim, Pyongyang, taken on Aug. 12. (38 North website)
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Another photo taken on August 12 revealed signs of full-scale preparation. The image depicts approximately 500 trucks that appear to be carrying soldiers to the training grounds. A number of tents for lodging were erected next to an airfield used for helicopters, forming a small ‘tent village,’ and soldiers could be seen marching in six groups on a strip of road within the airfield. The airfield was littered with small groups of soldiers and vehicles.
38 North reported that a greater number of covers for concealing weapons had been seen in a heavy equipment storage facility than were used in preparation for Army Day in February. The report added that although ten pieces of military equipment thought to be tanks or cannons were located next to the weapons covers, there were still no signs of any launchers for ICBMs or unmanned drones.
Due to the ongoing denuclearization negotiations between North Korea and the US, it is expected that North Korea will refrain from launching any large ICBMs or other weaponry that could provoke neighboring countries. At present, no noteworthy action has been detected at the Mirim Equestrian School or Mirim Airfield near the training ground.
By Kim Mi-na, staff reporter
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