North Korea’s newest long-range nuclear missiles will likely feature in a military parade on Thursday evening, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, with ROK media reporting that the event kicked off around 8 p.m.

A high-resolution image taken by Planet Labs at 2:44 p.m. KST Thursday shows large shelters likely covering transporter erector launchers (TELs) for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) lined up just outside central Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square.

The area is partly obscured by clouds, but a comparison of the same spot in the hours ahead of the Feb. 8 military parade this year suggests there were around 12 or more TELs on Thursday — fewer than the 17 shelters covering the same number of ICBMs there in February. 

It is unclear based on the imagery whether the shelters contain Hwasong-17 liquid-fuel ICBMs, Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBMs or something different.

Experts assessed that North Korea sought to demonstrate its improved manufacturing capabilities at the February parade by showing off five Hwasong-18s and 12 Hwasong-17s, more ICBM TELs than it had displayed at a single time before.

While organizers typically line weapons vehicles up along a road leading to the square in their parade order, the largest TELs are likely kept closer to the square to save fuel and avoid the chance of breakdowns during longer drives. 

South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency later reported that the parade started around 8 p.m. KST and was ongoing at 9:30 p.m., citing an “informed source.” DPRK state media is likely to report on the event as early as Friday morning.

Planet Labs imagery also showed the square was lined with red chairs and decorations indicative of military parade preparations. 

An orchestra tent appeared in the middle of the square, consistent with earlier signs. The new image also suggests that a large installation previously speculated to be a stage may be a statue or monument — possibly a replica of the Korean War monument in front of the Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang.

Large blue balloons featuring the DPRK flag that typically hover over the square during parades appeared to be blown up and gathered together in a nearby parking lot, while concession booths for VIPs appeared to be set up between the viewing stands and Grand People’s Study House to the west of the parade road.

In another sign of preparation for the parade, troop-carrying trucks appeared to be moved from storage in grass lots and into the replica Kim Il Sung Square at the Mirim military parade training base across town on Thursday morning.

All five of North Korea’s military parades since 2020 have taken place at night, and since Thursday is the “Victory Day” holiday — the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice agreement — the parade is likely to start sometime after dark on the holiday itself, barring any weather issues.

A Russian military delegation led by defense minister Sergei Shoigu and a Chinese political delegation led by politburo member Li Hongzhong are also in Pyongyang this week and could attend the parade.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un is expected to oversee the parade and possibly give a speech. 

Kim already gave Shoigu a tour of North Korea’s latest nuclear missiles and new military drones at a separate weapons exhibition on Wednesday, but reports have yet to emerge that the Chinese delegation attended any military events. It is unclear if they will attend the parade likely to feature ICBMs given that doing so could imply Beijing endorses Pyongyang’s nukes.

Edited by Bryan Betts

Updated on July 27 at 9:45 p.m. KST with details about the parade’s reported start time.