Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters). During a Pyongyang military holiday, the North Korean state media trumpeted Sunday how their country had gained “invincible strength that no one can ignore or touch”.

Monday marks the 90th anniversary the foundation of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army. International monitors believe that North Korea could stage a large military parade, or other weapon displays.

North Korea conducted unprecedented ballistic missile test launches this year. American officials and South Korean officials both believe that there could be signs of North Korea resuming nuclear weapons testing, which is the first since 2017.

According to KCNA, a Sunday report outlined the North Korean’s military accomplishments, starting with its wars against America in 1950-1953 Korean War. Smaller skirmishes during the Cold War led up to the bombing of South Korea’s Yeonpyeong, where both civilian and military targets were struck.

KCNA reported that North’s army is well-equipped with both offensive and defense capabilities, which can be used to “cope with modern warfare.”

The nation praised Kim for his “genius military ideologies and outstanding military commands, and unmatched courage and guts” and for leading the way to achieving “invincible strength.”

Over the past weeks, commercial satellite imagery has captured thousands of North Korean troops marching in formation on a parade training field in Pyongyang.

Analysts expected a parade of military personnel on April 15. This date was to mark the 110th birthday of Kim Il Sung’s birth. It was also North Korea’s most important holiday. But, only a tiny, civilian procession was reported.

According to 38 North (a U.S-based program) and NK News (a Seoul-based website that monitors the North), preparations are ongoing.

North Korea has held its most recent parades at night. They used the occasion to show off new weapons such as the Hwasong-17 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).