North parades military strength

Seoul, Feb. 8: North Korea staged a military parade in Pyongyang on Thursday, Seoul said, in a show of strength just a day before the Winter Olympics open in the South.

The nuclear- armed North is on an Olympicslinked publicity drive — sending a troupe of performers, hundreds of female cheerleaders, and the sister of leader Kim Jong Un to the South.

In recent days, thousands of troops and hundreds of armoured vehicles have been seen rehearsing for the display in the capital.

Unlike the North’s last parade in April 2017 its state television did not show it live. But a Seoul government source said: “We have learned that North Korea staged a military parade at Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang.”

Analysts say that with the dual approach, the North is looking to normalise its status as a “de facto nuclear state”, and could be trying to weaken sanctions against it or drive a wedge between the South and its ally the US.

Pyongyang last month announced it would commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of its military on February 8 — changing the date from April 25 and switching it to the day before the opening ceremony for the Games in Pyeongchang.

North Korean military parades typically feature thousands of goose- stepping troops and hundreds of armoured vehicles, culminating with missiles rolling through Kim Il Sung Square — the highlight for Pyongyangwatchers who examine them for clues about the progress of its technology.