According to Yoo Yong-won of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), satellite images taken between Feb. 9 and 17 by Vantor, formerly Maxar Intelligence, showed around 12,000 troops gathered at Mirim Airport near Pyongyang for the parade's rehearsals.
The images also show multiple formations marching in step, including columns of about 300 troops each, though no clear signs of heavy equipment were spotted near the airfield's main hangars.
Yoo said the parade is expected to involve more troops and equipment than previous ones, as the country may invite foreign officials and dignitaries including those from Russia, in a show of its closer military ties with Moscow.
At its previous eighth party congress in January 2021, North Korea mobilized about 15,000 troops and 172 pieces of military equipment for a parade featuring mass calisthenics performances.
This year's parade is expected to be similar in scale to the one held in October last year to mark the 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party's founding, when around 16,000 troops and some 60 pieces of equipment were showcased.
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