Human Interest

North Korea celebrates 74th founding anniversary with fanfare

Seoul, Sep 9 (EFE).- North Korea commemorated the 74th anniversary of its foundation with a massive event in Pyongyang replete with paratroopers and an air show in the presence of leader Kim Jong-un, who hailed the country’s military development.

The celebrations took place on Thursday night on Mansu Hill in the North Korean capital, where the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il – Kim’s grandfather and father respectively – are located, state-run agency KCNA reported Friday.

Kim Jong-un attended the event with his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and went on stage to congratulate the performers and take photos with them.

“Fireworks were displayed in the sky of September where the national flag of the powerful country was fluttering,” KCNA said.

The article was accompanied by photographs of Kim greeting the attendees, who waved the country’s flag, and musical performances.

North Korea usually holds large-scale events or parades during the quintennial or decennial anniversaries of its national holidays, when the final number of the year ends in five or zero.

Therefore, it is believed that a large event on this year’s founding anniversary is part of the country’s attempt to project an image of unity and encourage the people after a series of natural disasters and the coronavirus pandemic.

These celebrations coincide with the official announcement that the country will begin administering the Covid-19 vaccine in November.

They also coincide with the enactment of a law to boost the nuclear development of the country in the current geopolitical context.

In a speech to the Supreme National Assembly, the country’s legislature, Kim said that Pyongyang would never give up its nuclear weapons or succumb to the pressure of international sanctions.

North Korea has kept its borders closed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020 and has rejected offers of dialogue made by Seoul and Washington since then.

Last year, the North Korean regime approved a five-year weapons modernization plan that has been behind some 20 missile launches this year.

Pyongyang has also allegedly completed preparations to carry out its first nuclear test in five years, according to Seoul and Washington’s intelligence. EFE

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