North Korea has not staged military parade yet: source

A national meeting and a public procession of Pyongyang citizens marking the 110th anniversary of the birth of the country's late founder, Kim Il-sung, at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, April 15, is seen in this photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). EPA-Yonhap

North Korea has not yet held a military parade that is widely expected to take place in Pyongyang to mark a key national anniversary this week, an informed source said Monday.

Many had predicted the opening of the parade at midnight on the occasion of the 90th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA) that falls on the day.

Satellite imagery showed the secretive North's apparent preparations, involving thousands of troops and key pieces of military equipment, to hold a street parade at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, an event used as part of efforts to cement internal unity and highlight its military presence.

Some observers here said the parade might have been delayed due to weather or other unspecified conditions.

Under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, who took power in late 2011, the North has held nine major military parades for national celebrations, including the founding anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party, Oct. 10. (Yonhap)