North Korea is getting ready to stage a significant event to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of its military, just one day before the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Pyongyang residents have been assembling each day to practice with drums and plastic bouquets, while satellite imagery suggests troops are training at an airfield for a potential military parade on Feb. 8. Officials refuse to verify what precisely is planned.
A significant show of military power may lead to anger in South Korea, which is hoping the games might be a symbol of peace and stability. Seoul has agreed to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s last-minute proposal to ship a delegation to the games and could have its athletes march along with the North Korean team.
