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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un took center stage in a massive military parade and public rally in Pyongyang early Saturday to mark the 75th anniversary of the country’s ruling party.
Outside observers had expected the country to possibly unveil the latest weapons in its growing nuclear arsenal that threatens America’s allies in Asia and the American continent.
South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff said earlier in the day that there were signs that “large crowds and equipment” had mobilized for a military parade in Pyongyang’s Kim Il-sung Square in the early hours of the morning. In the evening, North Korean state television began broadcasting a recorded broadcast of the event, which began late on Friday.
Troops were seen step by step marching in the streets in front of the brightly lit plaza, as a military band performed as it moved in formation, shaping the numbers “10.10”, “1945” and “2020”, as well as a hammer and sickle – symbols of the ruling Workers’ Party.
The artists and tens of thousands of spectators roared as Kim appeared from a building as the clock struck midnight. Kim, flanked by senior officials and smiling widely, greeted the crowd and kissed the children who presented him with flowers before taking his place on the podium.
Earlier on Saturday, masked citizens lined up to lay flowers at the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, the father of the current ruler, on Pyongyang’s Mansu Hill. A huge billboard on the street highlighted the symbol of the ruling Workers’ Party with letters that read: “The best glory for our great party.”
The country’s official Korean Central News Agency said that residents in Kaesong and other regions who had lost their homes to recent natural disasters marked the anniversary of the holiday by moving into newly built houses and praised Kim Jong-un for take care of them as “their father”. .
KCNA also reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a letter to Kim saying that Beijing would continue to “defend, consolidate and develop” bilateral relations with Pyongyang.
This year’s anniversary comes amid stalled nuclear negotiations with the Trump administration and deepening economic woes that analysts say are shaping up to be one of the biggest tests of Kim’s leadership since he took office in 2011.
South Korean officials and analysts have said that North Korea could display a new ICBM or other nuclear-capable weapons during a parade, highlighting how the country has continued to expand its military capabilities amid stalled nuclear talks.
Kim pledged in December to soon unveil a “new strategic weapon for the world” while declaring to bolster his nuclear deterrent in the face of “gangster-like” US pressure.
But while he may put on a grand display of his military gear for the anniversary, analysts say Kim is likely to avoid direct or harsh criticism of Washington during his speech at the event and instead focus on a national message of unity versus deprivation economy.
Many analysts believe that North Korea will avoid serious negotiations or provocations before the US presidential elections in November, as a change in US administrations could force the country to recalibrate its focus on Washington and Seoul.
