SEOUL: according to satellite imagery reported by US news outlets on Wednesday,  North Korea appeared to be making final preparations for a military parade with a significant number of troops ahead of another key milestone next week.

According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), more than 12,000 troops gathered in a plaza of Pyongyang's Mirim Airfield earlier this week. As per media reports, it used commercial satellite imagery provided by Planet Labs.

The region is recognised as the secretive North's customary parade training venue, complete with a duplicate of Kim Il Sung Square, where such an event is performed, complete with goose-stepping soldiers and a display of significant weapon systems. The satellite imagery was captured on Sunday, a week before the North Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA), an anti-Japanese guerrilla group, commemorates its 90th anniversary.

The presence of a sizable audience at Kim Il-sung Square is remarkable, indicating that the North's parade preparations are nearing completion.

On April 17-18, several individuals were observed there, with temporary tents built up, according to RFA. A report based on satellite pictures taken on April 17-18 showed a large gathering of people forming formations with red flowers in the square, according to Voice of America.

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