Pyongyang: Hundreds of North Korean soldiers were seen practicing marching formations at a training field in Pyongyang in what appeared to be drills for a military parade marking the upcoming party congress, according to a report.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a U.S. website monitoring North Korea, commercial satellite imagery taken at Mirim Airfield in eastern Pyongyang showed several troop formations, including one in the shape of a hammer, sickle, and calligraphy brush, emblematic of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The website reported that these preparatory drills are likely for a parade to celebrate the Ninth Party Congress. Mirim Airfield is typically used by North Korean troops for practicing military parades for key events.

The satellite imagery suggests that North Korea may stage a military parade to mark the upcoming ninth congress of the WPK. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) has detected signs of parade preparations at venues such as Mirim Airfield and Kim Il Sung Square, where similar activities have occurred previously. JCS spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun mentioned in a press briefing that it remains unclear whether a military parade will occur, noting that preparations seem to be happening at the civilian level.

The congress, which occurs every five years, is North Korea's highest decision-making body and sets five-year plans for various policies. Although the date for the upcoming congress has not been announced, South Korea's government predicts it will likely be held in early or mid-February. Meetings of the party's city and county organizations have already been convened as preliminary steps for the congress.

38 North highlighted recent ceremonies marking the completion of economic projects in North Korea, suggesting that if more projects need showcasing or weapons testing before the Party Congress, the event could see delays. An official from South Korea's unification ministry indicated that the congress date would likely be set at a future WPK Politburo meeting.

Most construction projects pledged by North Korea for completion by the ninth congress are finished, except the final stage of the Hwasong district housing construction project in Pyongyang. The party congress may convene after this project is completed, according to the official's prediction.