[Courtesy of Paektu Cultural Exchange]
SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Aju News) -- North Korea disclosed its decision Tuesday to hold events marking the founding anniversary of its armed forces on the eve of next month's Winter Olympics in South Korea amid reports that soldiers and military equipment are rehearsing for a parade.
North Korea will hold "diverse events" under a decision made by the Central Committee's Political Bureau, a decision-making body of the North's Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), which designated February 8 as the Army-Building Day, according to Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The cabinet and other relevant organs will take "practical steps to significantly mark the founding anniversary", KCNA said.
About 13,000 soldiers have been rehearsing for a military parade at an airport in Pyongyang, the South's Yonhap News Agency said, adding preparations for an air show have been detected.
North Korea has staged military parades to mark crucial political events. Paektu Cultural Exchange, a Canadian tour company based in China, advertises a five-day package trip to North Korea that includes tickets for a military parade on Pyongyang's main square on February 8.
From February 5, the North will hold big celebrations including a military parade and mass dancings, the company said. "Watch a rare military parade as the Korean People's Army marks its 70-year anniversary," read one advertising slogan.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
