North Korea planning big military parade: reports

SEOUL: North Korea plans a massive military parade including missiles and other weaponry to mark major anniversaries early this year after its leader's death, South Korean media reports said Monday.

A large number of army, naval and air force troops have been practising for months at Mirim air base near the capital Pyongyang, Yonhap news agency reported, citing an unidentified Seoul official.

"The practice was under way even before the death of Kim Jong-Il," Yonhap quoted the official as saying. The leader died on December 17 and was succeeded by his youngest son Jong-Un in the country's second dynastic power transfer.

The parade will likely be staged to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of founding president Kim Il-Sung on April 15, or the anniversary of the foundation of the army on April 25, the official was quoted as saying.

Major weaponry including new tanks and armoured vehicles as well as short- and mid-range missiles have been deployed, the official said.

The event will likely be the largest military parade ever held in the country if all weaponry that has been deployed for practice sessions actually takes part, JoongAng Ilbo newspaper quoted an official as saying. (AFP)