73rd Anniversary, North Korea Holds Early Morning Military Parade Without Kim Jong-un Speech And Ballistic Missiles

North Korea illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Michael Day)

JAKAKARTA - North Korea holds an evening military parade to mark the 73rd anniversary of the national establishment or the establishment of a democratic republic that falls every September 9, state media reported Thursday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended the event, but did not appear to be delivering a speech, according to the official Korea Central News Agency (KCNA). There was no mention of any strategic weapons on display during the event.

"It seemed to last about an hour and involved fewer troops and equipment. I think the parade was mainly for domestic audiences," a South Korean military official said, citing the Korea Times Thursday, September 9.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it was closely following North Korea's preparations for major events, such as a military parade, ahead of the anniversary of the founding of the country and the ruling party on September 9 and October 10, respectively.

North Korea last staged a military parade in January, after a rare congress party that showcased new submarine ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and other advanced ballistic missiles. In October last year, they also held a massive military parade at night, showcasing new types of SLBMs and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

The photos show people in orange hazmat suits with medical-grade masks as a real symbol of anti-coronavirus efforts, and troops wielding rifles and multiple rocket launchers marching together.

"The emergency epidemic prevention column and the Ministry of Public Health with great patriotic enthusiasm display the advantages of the worldwide socialist system, while resolutely protecting the security of the country and its people from the worldwide pandemic," KCNA said.

North Korean state media remained silent about the event on Thursday morning. State television was able to show footage of Thursday night's march as it did after the previous march.

The latest parade, if confirmed, will mark the first major public display of North Korean military assets since US President Joe Biden took office. The January event was held days before Biden's inauguration.

The move comes amid stalled denuclearization talks between the US and North Korea. Washington has said it is ready to hold talks with North Korea anywhere, anytime, but the communist nation has remained unresponsive to US offers.

Last month, North Korea warned of a "serious security crisis", in protest against major joint exercises between South Korea and the US.

North Korea has not confirmed any cases of COVID-19, but has closed its borders and imposed strict precautions, seeing the pandemic as a matter of national survival.