MILITARY MIGHT: North Korean tanks take part in the military parade past Kim Il-Sung square marking the 60th anniversary of the Korean war armistice in Pyongyang. — AFP photo
PYONGYANG, North Korea: North Korea staged an intimidating parade of military muscle and patriotic fervour yesterday, aimed at rallying support around leader Kim Jong-Un on the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War.
For two hours, wave after wave of goose-stepping soldiers, followed by batteries of tanks and longer-range missiles on giant mobile launchers, marched through Kim Il-Sung square in a highly orchestrated display of national solidarity and defiance.
Kim Jong-Un, flanked by top military officials and Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, took the salute from the review podium overlooking Pyongyang’s giant Kim Il-Sung square, which was turned into a sea of colour by hundreds of thousands of men and women waving flags and red, pink, white and blue flowers.
Kim’s arrival at the parade ground at 10.00 am was greeted with fireworks, the release of thousands of coloured balloons and hysterical cheers from the crowds.
As the soldiers marched and the tanks rolled past, fighter jets screeched overhead and pairs of helicopters made rushing, low-altitude passes over the parade.
Missiles on display included mid-range Musudans as well as what appeared to be a long-range KN-08 – a little known model first unveiled at the last major parade in Pyongyang in April last year.
The ceasefire in the 1950-53 Korean War is celebrated in North Korea as ‘Victory Day’ over US and UN-led forces, even though the conflict ended in a territorial stalemate.
The massive parade capped a week of celebratory events that has repeatedly stressed the need for young North Koreans to emulate the sacrifice of the war veterans. — AFP