North Koreans appeared to be practicing for an upcoming nighttime torch march through Pyongyang’s central Kim Il Sung Square, though there was no evidence for the preparation of another military parade, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery taken this week.

The images of group formations observed in the square each day between March 6 and 9 suggest that young North Koreans will perform a so-called “torchlight procession” to celebrate the end of the Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League’s 10th Congress, scheduled for sometime in early April. Torchlight processions typically involve students marching in intricately timed formations while holding flaming torches that spell out propaganda slogans and political symbols.

There is no evidence to suggest Pyongyang is planning another military parade soon, however. Prior to the two recent military parades held in quick succession in Oct. 2020 and Jan. 2021, troops and vehicles were seen practicing at the Mirim training grounds in southeast Pyongyang for months, but such activity has not been observed in satellite imagery taken in recent weeks.

38 North was first to report on the fresh activity in Kim Il Sung Square this week, publishing a high-resolution satellite image of a formation spelling the words “10th Congress (제10차대회)” in the square’s main parade street — the same number as the upcoming youth league congress.

A group of people also appeared to be forming the shape of the hammer, sickle and brush emblem of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) in the upper (eastern) half of Kim Il Sung Square just before noon on Mar. 7, NK Pro analysis of Planet Labs medium-resolution satellite imagery shows.

The same shape was formed in the same location in the square by young students holding live flames during past torch marches. This type of formation has not been observed in the same area of the square during military parades or civilian rallies.

Preparations for torchlight processions in recent years involved young students from elementary school to college age training in Kim Il Sung Square for long hours over the course of weeks, and sometimes even sleeping in the square. The students are typically seen wearing white hats and holding paper torches while running, standing in formation, and waving their arms to instructions given over megaphones.

Students practicing for a torch march in Kim Il Sung Square in Aug. 2018 | Video: NK News

Kim Jong Un did not attend the most recent youth torch march in Oct. 2020, but precedent suggests he could show up at the next one: Kim attended a “torchlight gala” held inside May Day Stadium to celebrate the end of the last youth league congress in Aug. 2016.

Edited by James Fretwell