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North Korea is expected to hold a major military parade on Sunday – the first since the start of negotiations with the United States on denuclearization – as the country celebrates the 70th anniversary of its founding.
Previous parades have featured missile launchers, but their inclusion on this occasion could be a diplomatic provocation.
"It's an internal event for North Korea: it's their birthday, they want to celebrate that," said Tong Zhao, a member of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Politics, Sky News.
"But by organizing a big military parade, this could be perceived by outsiders as a provocation.
"So, North Korea has to find a balance between (this and) improving its inner morale.
"They also want to send a big signal – they now want to focus on economic development."
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Officials at a ceremony to celebrate the 70th anniversary of North Korea
The streets of Pyongyang were swept away and the walls and buildings were painted before the birthday.
High-level delegations from China and Russia arrived in the capital.
The celebrations should include a revival of mass games – a large-scale performance involving tens of thousands of North Koreans, last held in 2013.
We were told that they had been practicing for months after school and work.
Events usually follow themes of history and revolution. This year's performance is called "glorious country".
Chinese and European tourists have purchased tickets from £ 90 and over £ 700 for VIP seats.
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Workers in a cosmetics factory in North Korea
The anniversary comes at a crucial moment in the denuclearization talks.
For a long time, the United States and North Korea were apparently in a stalemate, with the United States asking for a complete list of North Korean and Pyongyang nuclear facilities demanding the official end of the Korean War.
A real peace treaty has never been signed – neither side seemed to want to give in.
But in recent days, there has been a wave of diplomatic activity since Pyongyang.
A third summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in was confirmed by the end of the month.
Mr. Kim also sent a message to Donald Trump, who tweeted his thanks in return.
