North Korean passenger planes were spotted flying outside of Pyongyang at another domestic airport for the second time in the last week, marking a sudden surge in air activity ahead of the upcoming Eighth Party Congress.

This year, Air Koryo planes were mostly grounded due to travel restrictions meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But the rare flights, first detected by NK Pro on Wednesday, could signal that the Party Congress will start in the first few days of January, since they might be bringing event attendees to Pyongyang. State media has so far only reported