North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watched a huge citizens’ parade on its occasion 110th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sungof his grandfather and founder of the country, according to images broadcast today by the official media.
South Koreans and US officials estimated that one nuclear test may have been performed in the context of these celebrations. They were also expecting a military parade.
Yesterday’s ceremony was marked by a civil parade and fireworks.
The 15th of April, which is called the “Day of the Sun”is one of the most important dates in Pyongyang’s calendar because Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Un’s grandfather, was born on that date.
Photos by the official KCNA news agency show Kim Jong Un greets from a balcony in Kim Il Sung Squarein Pyongyang, thousands of people who wore clothes in bright colors.
«Phalanxes of workers, local dancers and other people paralyzed in the square“Holding a banner with socialist slogans on it,” KCNA reported.
The leader went too at the Kumsushan Sun Palace in Pyongyangin which he rests the stuffed body of his fatheras well as that of Kim Il Sung.
In the days leading up to this anniversary, state media widely covered it the inauguration of new residential complexes and projected images in which people with mobile phones were photographing wreaths of flowers.
According to Leaf-Eric Ezley, Assistant Professor of International Studies at Seha Ewha Womans University in Seoul, the goal was “to project an economy that is not only resilient, but in full growth».
The country, however, is plagued by a severe financial crisisexacerbated by international sanctions and tight border closures for protection against Covid-19.
«ΤKim’s regime needs sources of national pride and legitimacy other than military parades“, Said Ezley.
These events take place three weeks after the largest intercontinental ballistic missile test in the history of the country. The absence of military activity on the anniversary day “does not mean that North Korea has stopped strengthening its military apparatus,” Ezley added.
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