North Korea marks toned down 70th anniversary
North Korea marks toned down 70th anniversary
PYONGYANG, North Korea — Marking its first major public event since taking on a diplomatic approach in dealing with the U. S., North Korea marked the 70th anniversary of the Day of the Foundation of the Republic on Sunday, in an unusually toned down fashion.
Over the last few decades, North Korea has traditionally marked the anniversary of its foundation — which is one of the country’s most important holidays — with a display of its military might, this year, the country chose to prioritize its economic development.
Each year, when the reclusive nuclear nation marks the day the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was proclaimed, the country celebrates by staging art performances, holding exhibitions and athletic events — but the most important part of the celebration is its dramatically staged military parade.
The parade is viewed closely by several nations and experts as it has often provided an insight into the weapons advancement achieved by the country that has intensified its nuclear weapons programmed at shocking speed, spooking several rivals and even challenging world powers like the U. S. that are closely allied with the nation’s traditional enemies.
However, this year was different, since it was the country’s first such massive public parade since the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un made diplomatic overtures to its southern neighbor after 65 years of armistice and with its neighbor’s close ally, the United States.
Kim Jong Un offered to denuclearize, but made it clear that the country’s wasn’t threatened by South Korea and the U. S. into taking the action — but was changing its approach in a bid to boost its economy that has suffered due to decades of crippling sanctions.
Flowers replace missiles
Since he first vowed to denuclearize during a historic meeting with the South Korean leadership earlier this year, Kim Jong Un repeated the same vow during his meeting with the U. S. President Donald Trump in June this year.
Despite the rocky path that both the countries have set out on since then, Kim Jong Un has reiterated his commitment to denuclearize but is demanding relief from sanctions before making any moves.
The U. S. has demanded actions towards disarmament before providing any sanction relief.
With talks being deadlocked, analysts had expected North Korea to stage large-scale military drills on Sunday, just as it has for several years — with a display of its advanced weapons — especially its Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), in a bid to deter powerful nations from considering a strike on the impoverished nation.
However, on Sunday, North Korea staged a military parade which focussed on conventional arms but refrained from showing off its long-range missiles.
The country also prominently focussed on peace and economic development as it marked the 70th anniversary of the country’s founding.
