October 9, 2025
North Korea is commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea with a high-profile celebration in Pyongyang, signaling deepening ties with key allies amid growing geopolitical tensions.
- Date: Friday, October 10
- Occasion: Founding of the sole ruling party, central to Kim dynasty’s power
- Backdrop: Military parades, mass performances, and strategic messaging
Foreign Delegations in Attendance
North Korea rolled out the red carpet for top leaders from allied nations:
- 🇨🇳 China: Premier Li Qiang, the highest-level Chinese visit since 2019
- 🇷🇺 Russia: Former President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy head of Putin’s Security Council
- 🇻🇳 Vietnam: Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties
- 🇱🇦 Laos: President Thongloun Sisoulith, welcomed with a 21-gun salute and banquet
Strategic Signals
- Kim Jong Un is leveraging the anniversary to showcase diplomatic clout and military strength
- Parade expected to feature Hwasong-20 ICBMs and hypersonic glide vehicles
- Satellite imagery suggests pre-dawn rehearsals involving thousands of troops and vehicles
- Kim’s recent appearance alongside Xi Jinping and Putin in Beijing underscores his pivot toward a China-Russia axis
Kim’s Message
In a speech at the Party Founding Museum, Kim praised the party’s legacy and called for renewed loyalty to socialism.
- Honored his grandfather Kim Il Sung and revolutionary forerunners
- Vowed to preserve ideological purity and resist “decrepitude and discolouration”
Geopolitical Undercurrents
- North Korea has reportedly sent troops and munitions to support Russia’s war in Ukraine
- Strengthened military cooperation with Russia and China raises alarms in Seoul and Washington
- Analysts expect further provocations tied to missile development and U.S. force buildup in South Korea
(Source – AP News)
—Agencies
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