Date: Monday, April 25, 2022
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.

 

1. Regarding the 90th Founding Anniversary of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army(KPRA)

 

Today marks the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army(KPRA). On January 22, 2018, North Korea announced the official statement through the Political Bureau of the Party Central Commission designating February 8 as the Foundation Day of the Korean People’s Army and April 25 as the Foundation Day of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army, and has been celebrating April 25 as the national holiday.

 

The Rodong Sinmun highlighted the achievements of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army and reported related events including the opening of photo exhibition and the release of post stamps for this anniversary.

 

Meanwhile, there has not been any report regarding the military parade. The Ministry is closely watching the situation bearing in mind that the North held the military parade at various times in the past rather than convening at a regularly determined time and that North Korea media reported the parade after it is over.

2. Weekly Schedule

 

May 1st marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the National Institute for Unification Education.

 

The National Institute for Unification Education opened as the Unification Training Office on May 1, 1972, and changed its name a number of times from the “Unification Training Center” to the “Institute for unification Education”, and finally to the “National Institute for Unification Education” in March, 2021.

 

The Ministry will hold a ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Institute for Unification Education on Thursday, April 28 at 10am. This event will convene local residents and policy stakeholder, and the Minister of Unification will provide congratulatory remarks.

The Minister will attend the Unification Policy Sectoral advisory meeting on Tuesday, April 26 at 2pm, and will walk the “DMZ Peace Trail” with Catholic bishops on April 29.

 

The Vice Minister will attend vice-ministerial meeting in the morning of April 28.

3. Q&A

 

Q. You mentioned that in the past, North held the military parade at diverse time periods and reported afterward. Could the Ministry provide more information on the related reports such as the gap between the parade time and report time?

 

A. After Kim Jong Un took office, there were two middle-of-the-night military parades. On October 10, 2020, and September 9, 2021, North Korea held the military parade at midnight and released reports through the Rodong Sinmum the following morning. In the afternoon, the on-site recorded footage of the parade was broadcasted.

 

However, the Ministry is aware that there has not been any report on the parade from North Korean media, and closely watching the relevant situation.

 

Reflecting the past, the parade held in the morning or afternoon were reported the next day through the Rodong Sinmun with video recordings of the event. It is necessary to track the North’s situation considering all circumstances.

 

Q. Does the Ministry have other factors in mind such as weather issues behind the North not holding the parade last night?

 

A. First, we are aware of the fact that there has not been a report from the North Korean media about the parade and are paying close attention to the situation.

 

However, the Ministry cannot confirm specific information regarding the details of the North Korean military and its background.