North Korea has organized various cultural events marking the 76th anniversary of the regime’s founding slated for next week, state media reported Friday.

The National Art Exhibition and the Stamp Exhibition opened Thursday ahead of the anniversary of the regime’s establishment scheduled for Monday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The KCNA also reported that a public speaking event for young university students was held at the outdoor theater of Pyongyang Youth Park to commemorate the day.

A group of Koreans living in Japan also arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday, the KCNA said in a separate dispatch.

The congratulatory group, led by Ko Tok-u, chairperson of the Tokyo office of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, is likely to attend anniversary events.

It is the delegation’s first visit in five years since 2019, a year before North Korea shut down its border over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, North Korea marked the 75th anniversary of its founding with a paramili
tary parade featuring reserve forces. Similarly, on Sept. 9, 2021, the regime held a civil-paramilitary parade to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of its founding.

Source: Yonhap News Agency