Large Structure Spotted Being Built at Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square

Construction of a large structure, believed to be a reviewing stand, is underway at Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Square, with images of the work captured. NK News reported that the installation of reviewing stands began eight days prior to President Putin's visit and three days prior to Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko's visit.

Satellite images of the area around Pyongyang International Airport show preparations for accommodating several large aircraft, with eight Air Koryo aircraft observed moving from their parking spots north of the terminal between May 28 and 29. NK News added that similar arrangements for Russian aircraft accommodation were made at the airport nine to ten days before President Putin's arrival in 2024.

Speculation about President Xi's visit gained traction after TIME magazine reported on May 20, citing anonymous sources, that a state visit was scheduled. A high-ranking South Korean government official also confirmed the possibility of the visit, stating, "There is intelligence that President Xi will visit North Korea soon." The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated twice, on May 21 and 25, that it had "no information to provide" regarding the speculation, and no further statements have been made since.