N. Korea seen as preparing 1st mass gymnastics in 5 years for 80th party anniversary

Images from the European Union's Copernicus Earth observation program show a white rectangular object covering the lawn at the center of Pyongyang's Rungrado May 1 Stadium in the lower photo taken on June 18, while it is not present in the upper photo taken a day earlier. Yonhap

Satellite images seen Thursday indicate North Korea is likely preparing mass gymnastics to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its ruling party's founding in October, which would be the first such event in five years.

Images captured a day earlier by Sentinel-2 satellites under the European Union's Copernicus Earth observation program showed what appears to be a large rectangular white screen covering the lawn at the center of Pyongyang's Rungrado May 1 Stadium.

The screen was not present in images of the stadium captured Tuesday.

The new installation could suggest preparations for group gymnastics at the stadium, following signs that North Korea is preparing lavish celebrations for the Oct. 10 anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea's founding in 1945.

North Korea has been sending invitations to friendly socialist countries and overseas organizations in connection with the celebration, according to Seoul officials.

If held as anticipated, it will mark North Korea's first mass gymnastics since October 2020, when the country celebrated the 75th anniversary of the party's founding.

Mass gymnastics is a unique mass performance praised by North Korea, mobilizing up to 100,000 people to stage spectacular shows featuring mass games, dance and card sections.

Due to the massive scale of the mobilization and intensive training needed, the mass show is staged only once every few years to mark major national events.

In 2018 and 2019, North Korea staged mass gymnastics at the Rungrado stadium to celebrate the visits of then South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping, respectively.