While the world is waiting anxiously to see if North Korea will conduct a nuclear test, the country celebrates the birthday of President Kim Il Sung with a massive military parade and missile display.
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| On April 15, North Korea held a grand military parade to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the birth of its eternal president, Kim Il Sung. April 15 is designated as the "Day of the Sun" in North Korea to commemorate the country's founder. The event took place while the whole world was watching North Korea's next moves, fearing that the country would conduct a nuclear or missile test to celebrate President Kim Il Sung's birthday. |
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| Observers fear that North Korea could spark an armed conflict on Kim Il Sung’s birthday. In 2012, Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth, but state media later confirmed the launch had failed. |
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| North Korea has tested missiles four times this year, most recently ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States. Pyongyang has also conducted five nuclear tests, two of which took place in 2016. The most recent test, in October 2016, was believed to be the most powerful. |
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| On April 15, North Korea still did not make any military moves other than displaying its military force and weapons in the parade. However, speaking at the parade, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of North Korea Choe Ryong Hae declared: "If the US targets North Korea, our armed forces will counterattack in full force." |
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| Since dawn on April 15, hundreds of trucks carrying military soldiers have lined up on the banks of the Taedong River, preparing to enter the capital. |
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| The armed forces marched past the stage one by one. |
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| Parade of female soldiers. |
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| Soldiers marched and shouted slogans during the parade. |
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| On this occasion, North Korea also showed off a series of new weapons. In the photo, a new ballistic missile, possibly an intercontinental missile, was publicly revealed by Pyongyang for the first time. This image shows that the missile development process may have been completed, but no testing has been recorded. |
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| The parade of schools such as Aviation University, Military University, Women's Cadre School... also participated in the ceremony. |
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| A North Korean soldier is filming the ceremony. |
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| Kim Jong Un waved as the parade passed. Kim arrived at the parade wearing a black suit and white shirt, stepped out of his limousine, saluted the honor guard before walking down the red carpet. The North Korean leader then stepped onto the podium to applaud and salute with senior government officials to welcome thousands of soldiers marching through Kim Il Sung Square. |
According to Zing
