(New York) – The government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is seemingly preparing a large-scale military parade, possibly to mark Army Day on February 8 or in connection with the upcoming Ninth Party Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Media reports and satellite imagery analysis indicate that thousands of people have been mobilized for rehearsals.
The following quote can be attributed to Lina Yoon, senior Korea researcher, at Human Rights Watch:
“North Korea’s upcoming military parade is an important moment to focus on Pyongyang’s intensified surveillance, sweeping controls over information and expression, and widespread crimes against humanity. The government’s treatment of its people as expendable is evident in its abuse of North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine, where they were ordered to kill themselves rather than surrender—acts the state then glorifies.”
