Anchor: Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon says North Korea is likely to hold a military parade on an "intimidating" scale on the eve of the PyeongChang Olympics. He also expressed hope for the start of dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington. 
Kim In-kyung has more. 

Report: Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon has confirmed that North Korea is preparing to hold a massive military parade on the eve of the PyeongChang Olympics. 

The minister said during a forum in Seoul on Friday that there is a high possibility that the parade will be "intimidating" as the North is set to mobilize a sizable number of military personnel and almost all of its weapons.

The preparations are taking place at Mirim Airfield in Pyongyang to mark the 70th founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army on February eighth. Satellite pictures had captured rehearsals for the parade earlier this week. 

Cho said that Pyongyang seems to be preparing for major events as the regime marks the 70th anniversary of its creation and Kim Jong-un apparently wants to show that he has fully solidified his status as leader. 

The minister said what's important is ensuring that the current mood for dialogue between the two Koreas continues after the Olympics, adding that talks between Pyongyang and Washington could provide a breakthrough. 

He said joint military drills between South Korea and the U.S. have been postponed until March 25th and the key will be to lead the two sides to enter a process for dialogue during that time frame. 

He said that once the exercises resume, the North will strongly protest the move and likely launch provocations, which could lead to more sanctions against the regime and the vicious cycle could repeat itself. 

He said he conveyed these concerns during the high-level inter-Korean talks on January ninth, adding it will be the ministry's task to create a momentum for the current South-North ties to continue beyond April. 
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News.