North Korea is expected to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of its ruling party this Saturday, mainly with festive events and without a long-range rocket launch.
 
A Unification Ministry official in Seoul told reporters on Tuesday that the North is likely to mark the anniversary in a celebratory mood without major changes in policy.
 
The official said no signs have been detected suggesting that the North is preparing to launch a long-range rocket.
 
The official said the ceremony’s key event will be a military parade which will feature a grand scale of personnel and weapons. He said the North is likely to show off its submarine-launched and intercontinental ballistic missiles at the parade.
 
The official said the North is said to be preparing an air show, mass games and various performances for the ceremony.
 
According to the official, the North sent invitations to some 20 countries, including Cuba and allies in Southeast Asia. So far, it has been confirmed that Liu Yunshan, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, will attend the upcoming event.