hankyoreh

in an image released on Oct. 4 by the Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA/Yonhap News)

North Korea has mobilized the entire country and dedicated all its efforts to prepare for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean Workers Party, which will take place on Oct. 10. A huge military parade will be held on the anniversary, showcasing a large amount of new weaponry.

　In an Oct. 8 report analyzing satellite photography of the former Mirim Airbase in Pyongyang acquired on Oct. 6, 38 North, an American website dedicated to North Korea, said that the number of tents that appear to be for soldiers preparing for the military review had increased to around 800 and that North Korea is likely to field the largest ever number of soldiers in the military review on Oct.10.

　Since this past May, North Korea has reportedly deployed troops, fighters, and other weaponry at the former Mirim Airbase in preparation for the review.

　According to comments by officials in South Korea’s Unification Ministry on Oct. 9, this review is expected to feature mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles ? including the submarine-launched ballistic missile that was made public for the first time this year and an improved version of the KN-08 missile, which has also appeared in previous reviews. “North Korea could show off new weapons that it has never made public before,” a Unification Ministry official said.

　“The review could include an upgraded multiple rocket launcher, a new satellite, and an intercontinental ballistic missile that improves on the Hwaseong-13 (KN-08), which was made public on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung in 2012,” said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies.

　“While the ballistic missile launchers [. . .] are not identifiable, they may be under the large temporary shelter erected on the southeast corner of the facility. Alternatively they could arrive a day or two before the parade” said Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., the 38 North analyst who examined the satellite photography.

　Reportedly, North Korea is also preparing a large-scale air show, mass games, a torch-lit parade, and a performance on the water.

　According to South Korean government estimates, North Korea invited about 20 countries, including China, Cuba, and countries in Southeast Asia, to the celebration.

　China’s delegation to North Korea arrived in Pyongyang on Oct. 9 and will remain in the country for four days, according to a report by China’s Xinhua News. The delegation is led by Liu Yunshan, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and the fifth most powerful figure in China.

　In a long celebratory telegram sent to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Oct. 9, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “We hope that our two countries will be able to improve our friendly ties. We also hope that North Korea will make a constructive effort for peace and stability in the region and the world.” Xi’s remarks are thought to support Kim’s regime by acknowledging, at least partially, Kim’s ability to keep control of North Korea.

　“It’s notable that Xi specifically referred to developing the economy and improving the public livelihood. Xi appears to think highly of Kim and to have signaled his interest in improving relations,” said one diplomat in Beijing.

　On Sep. 30 ? one day before China’s National Day on Oct. 1 - North Korea sent President Xi an unusual congratulatory telegram that was two sentences long under the name of Kim Jong-un.

　North Korea also reportedly invited 20 or 30 media organizations from around the world, including CNN and AP from the US.

　It is no longer possible for North Korea to push ahead with a long-range missile launch or a nuclear test before the anniversary. “There are currently no signs of an imminent long-range missile launch,” Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo said during the parliamentary inspection on Oct. 8.

　Considering that it takes from one to four weeks to prepare for a missile launch, it appears that North Korea will not launch anything for some time even after the anniversary has passed.

　“It is possible that North Korea could launch a short-range missile from somewhere other than Dongchang Village. There are signs of [preparation for] a short-range missile launch,” said South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo on Oct. 8.

　North Korea is also concentrating its efforts on creating propaganda about the administrative achievements of Kim Jong-un.

　On Oct. 3, construction was completed on the Baekdu Mountain Heroic Youth Power Plant, after 13 years. The skyline of Pyongyang is changing, with the addition of 53-story high-rise apartments on the Street of Future Scientists on the banks of the Taedong River and a five-story department store and other shops in the Changgwang area. On Sep. 28, the Rainbow, a large cruise ship that can carry 1230 passengers, was launched on the Taedong River.

　North Korea officially recognized Oct. 10, 1945 ? when an assembly was held of leaders of the Korean Communist Party in the five northwest provinces and enthusiastic party members ? as the date when the Korean Workers’ Party was established. Since 1949, it has been commemorating the date as a festival for socialism.

　“Around the end of this year, Kim Jong-un could convene an expanded meeting of the political bureau of the Korean Workers’ Party at which he might reflect on the past 70 years of the party and offer new organizational and appointment policies and a new ideological approach for the Kim Jong-un era,” Yang said.

　By Kim Ji-hoon, staff reporter and Seong Yeon-cheol, Beijing correspondent

　Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]