A brigade of military engineers has been constructing two roads and ten structures on the military parade training ground near Mirim Airport since at least late April, Daily NK has learned.
A North Korean military source told Daily NK on June 2 that “structures and roads for large and mid-sized vehicles are currently under construction on the field near Mirim Airport.”
The source’s report suggests the new roads and structures are to prepare for a military parade training in July. North Korea plans to hold a major military parade on Oct. 10 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country’s communist party.
According to the source, the 4th Brigade of Military Engineers, under the command of North Korea’s Ministry of People’s Armed Forces, is involved in the construction projects.
On May 28, the private commercial satellite company Planet Labs released an image captured on May 27 that showed new roads and buildings being built in the eastern part of the military parade training ground near Mirim Airport. These roads and structures were not visible in satellite images taken in early May.
“The [4th] Brigade of Military Engineers was mobilized on Apr. 29 to build two 580-meter-long roads and ten structures,” the source told Daily NK. “The roads are nearing completion. Construction on the buildings will likely finish in late July.”
“The brigade has been working around the clock to complete the projects by that time,” the source said, adding, “Top officials are wary of any further delays in the military parade training given that participants are expected to gather in Pyongyang in July.”
The construction of the roads suggests that North Korea may be planning to unveil mobile transporter erector launchers (TELs) equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) during the parade. Some observers believe there is a high likelihood that North Korea will unveil these “new strategic weapons” at the parade given they have been in the spotlight since an expanded meeting of the communist party’s Central Committee was held last year.
The ten buildings under construction are also noteworthy because North Korean authorities lodged parade participants in the April 25 Hotel in past years and conducted training for the parades on the practice field. Each year, the field was made to resemble Kim Il Sung Square, including a mock-up of the North Korean leader’s special stage.
According to the source, however, the ten buildings are not for participants to stay in.
“They will be used by the parade’s commanders, as a ‘situation room’ for the training, and as storage for various weapons,” the source said.
“[The construction of the buildings] reflects the Supreme Leader [Kim Jong Un]’s intent to create a permanent system to manage the parades, rather than treat them as one-off events,” he added.
North Korea’s leadership also views the upcoming parade as a good opportunity to unveil new strategic weapons to the international community, according to the source.
“North Koreans are facing dire economic circumstances, but the Supreme Leader insists that the country must show off the country’s weapons systems, which have been created through close cooperation between the military and people under the guidance of the party,” he added.
Daily NK reported on May 21 that North Korea had postponed a large-scale training for the parade until July. The military’s General Staff Department reportedly handed down an order for military units to conduct their own training until the mass drills in July.
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