North Korea's Military Parade Ahead of Seoul Olympics

On Thursday, February 8, one day before the opening of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, North Korea held a military parade. According to the Associated Press, thousands of North Korean soldiers paraded in Kim Il-sung Square, named after the country's first leader (the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un). North Korean state television displayed the young leader in a long black coat walking the red carpet with his wife a few hours after the parade. The report adds that all foreign media were banned from attending and covering this military parade. North Korea claims that the parade was held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the formation of its military. The Associated Press notes that this anniversary was not previously considered a significant event for commemoration, but since 2015, it has been highlighted again in the country, and this year, marking the 70th anniversary, the Pyongyang government showed special attention to the parade. The report suggests that the upcoming South Korean Olympics may have been a significant factor in the military parade of its northern neighbor. In recent weeks, the two Koreas have engaged in unprecedented negotiations regarding bilateral relations over the past two years. Meanwhile, the South Korean government has confirmed that the sister of the North Korean leader will also travel to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics with the country's athletes and will meet with the South Korean president. This marks the first visit by a member of the North Korean leadership family to the southern neighbor since the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. In addition to 22 athletes, 400 musicians, artists, and cheerleaders from North Korea have headed to the Olympics. In this context, South Korean media have reported that Hyun Song-wol, a popular singer of the North Korean leader who was previously rumored to have been executed over pornography charges, is among the singers in the North Korean delegation to the Olympics. The Associated Press states that the visit of Kim Yo-jong, the 30-year-old sister of the North Korean leader, to the southern neighbor is very significant. In this regard, Reuters has also reported that she is not only very trusted by her brother but will also meet with the South Korean president, making her the first member of the North Korean leadership family to visit South Korea in nearly seven decades. The report adds that many experts view the sister's visit as a sign of North Korea's willingness to thaw relations with the South. Reuters also reports that North Korean state television has announced that the country's delegation at the Olympics has no desire to meet with American officials. The television report also expressed hope that the Olympics would help ease nuclear tensions. Reuters notes that U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who has referred to North Korea as 'the most oppressive regime in the world,' has arrived in South Korea for the opening of the Olympics. Mr. Pence has stated that the U.S. has made no requests for a meeting with the North Korean delegation but is prepared for any potential contact or negotiations. He said that any contact made in the next two days would carry the message that North Korea must abandon its nuclear program and ballistic missile ambitions forever. Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, Yonhap News Agency, Euronews.