⁍ Formations of troops have been seen practicing for what is expected to be a major military parade on Oct. 10.

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⁍ Some observers say North Korea may showcase its largest missiles for the first time since 2018.

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⁍ South Korean officials have sounded more cautious notes, including incoming South Korean defence minister Gen. Suh Wook.

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– North Korea may be preparing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea next month with a major military parade or a test fire of a submarine-launched ballistic missile, according to analysts and security officials in South Korea. A flurry of activity has been detected at the Sinpo South Shipyard, including in a basin where a barge used in previous underwater missile launches is docked, Reuters reports. “We’re monitoring developments, as there is a possibility that a submarine-launched ballistic missile test will be conducted there using ejection equipment shortly after the repair is done,” Won In-choul, the nominee for chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, told lawmakers this week. Other South Korean officials have sounded more cautious notes, including incoming South Korean defense minister Gen. Suh Wook, who said on Monday that he considered an SLBM test unlikely because there is too little time to prepare ahead of the 75th anniversary. Last October, North Korea said it had successfully test-fired a Pukguksong-3, which elicited no major reaction from President Trump, who has held up the absence of intercontinental ballistic missile and nuclear tests by that country since 2017 as a diplomatic success and played down shorter-range launches. Although North Korea could roll out a new weapons system, there are no indications that the country is looking at “lashing out” ahead of the expected military parade, the commander of US military forces in South Korea said last week.