North Korea will mark the founding anniversary of its army the day before the Winter Olympic Games open in South Korea in a muscle flexing move that may put a damper on Seoul’s hopes for a “peaceful” event.
North Korean state media confirmed that the 70th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) would be celebrated on its official date, February 8, instead of April 25 – the date it has been marked on since 1978.
The KCNA didn’t specify details of the planned celebration, however a South Korean government official, cited by Yonhap News, reported seeing the mobilization of around 13,000 troops and some 200 pieces of equipment near an airport in Pyongyang, in what appears to be preparation for a large-scale military parade.
An invitation for February 8 events has been issued to defense attachés, deputies, and spouses from the DPRK according to NK News. It requests foreign defense attachés “ attend festival functions held in Pyongyang on the occasion of 70th anniversary of the transformation of the Korean People’s Army into a regular revolutionary armed forces.
