Foreign Press in North Korea Told to Prepare for ‘Big Event’

Foreign journalists visiting North Korea for the 105th anniversary of founder Kim Il Sung’s birth were told to prepare for a “big and important event” on Thursday. Reporters were given no indication over whether the announcement was related to the country’s controversial nuclear weapons program, which has locked the region into daily tensions. According to Reuters, “Officials gave no details as to the nature of the event or where it would take place, and similar announcements in the past have been linked to relatively low-key set pieces. In 2016, for example, foreign journalists underwent hours of investigation by North Korean officials ahead of what turned out to be a pop concert to mark the finale of a ruling Workers' Party congress.” In April 2012, however, North Korea attempted to launch a long-range missile around the time of Kim Il Sung’s holiday.