New activity in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square appears directly related to preparations for a military parade or other large-scale event, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, as speculation mounts over when Russian leader Vladimir Putin will arrive for a planned summit.

Planet Labs high-resolution imagery shows a temporary square wall was installed between Tuesday and Thursday on the main road of the square. The footprint of the wall is exactly the same as ones built around the construction of orchestra tents before military parades in Jan. 2021, April 2022 and Feb. 2023.

Such activity