Preparations in full swing for North Korea’s ruling party anniversary

Seoul, Oct 6 (efe-epa).- The North Korean capital is “ablaze with celebrations” ahead of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party to be held over the weekend, state media reported on Tuesday.

Official newspaper Rodong Sinmun said the party functionaries in Pyongyang were making sure that the planned works – including the facade remodeling of hundreds of residences and buildings, the repair of sidewalks and roads, and the adjustment of lighting systems – were being carried out.

It also reported that the delegates who would participate in the celebrations arrived in the capital on Monday.

The authorities have installed amplifiers in Pyongyang, where the regime will hold a military parade on Saturday.

There are speculations that the reclusive country might unveil new weapons from its nuclear and missile program.

North Korea usually holds massive military events or parades during the ruling party’s quintennial or decennial anniversaries (after every five or ten years) when the final number of the year ends in five or zero.

In addition to holding parades, it also, occasionally, takes the opportunity to conduct nuclear tests.

This year, however, the economy of the country is reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic that has forced it to close its borders, blocking the foreign capital inflow.

Two flagship projects were to be inaugurated on the 75th anniversary of the Workers’ Party.

The projects have not been completed apparently due to the lack of funds.

These include a new hospital in Pyongyang and the special tourist zone in the Kalma Peninsula in the coastal town of Wonsan.

Adding to this are the sanctions imposed by the United Nations and the recent passage of three consecutive typhoons that have caused significant damage, including in Wonsan, in a country whose infrastructure is not strong enough to withstand torrential rains.

On Tuesday, state agency KCNA reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un chaired a Politburo meeting of the Workers’ Party, in which he launched an 80-day campaign to achieve the economic objectives of the five-year plan of North Korea that ends in December.

The new five-year development plan is expected to be presented at the party congress scheduled in January. EFE-EPA

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