The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) held a grand military parade in Kim Il Sung Square – named after top leader Kim Jong Un's grandfather – on Sunday in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of its national day. The celebration saw no intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) on display, which Pyongyang claims are capable of striking the US or any part of the world. 

‍Like many countries, the DPRK likes to celebrate independence, or its founding day, with military parades, which also serve as a way to showcase its military might and latest development in missiles. However, the rally this time comes in a particularly sensitive time, with widespread concerns that negotiations between the DPRK and the US over denuclearization have reached a deadlock.

Many experts had estimated before the military showcase that Kim would choose to tone down the parade so as not to thumb his nose at Washington, especially after the bond established by him and US President Donald Trump during their historic face-to-face summit on June 12. 

The two leaders vowed to “work toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," during their meeting.

The 2018 military parade (September 9, 2018)

Thousands of goose-stepping soldiers and military vehicles were inspected by Kim Jong Un.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Li Zhanshu also attended the ceremony, leading a Chinese delegation. Li is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Xi also sent a letter Sunday afternoon, delivering his congratulations while hailing the "traditional friendship" between the two sides.

Pyongyang could be seen as showing a friendly gesture – or at least a less hostile one – to the US and the rest of the world, amid the cancellation of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to the country just a month ago, with Trump citing lack of progress on denuclearization. 

There have been positive signs since then. Just days ago, Trump wrote on his Twitter thanking Kim's "unwavering faith" in him. 

"We will get it done together," Trump wrote. The US president also said a personal letter from Kim had been handed over, which he believes would be a "positive" one.

'Mass Games' are back

The northeast Asian country is also bringing back a massive choreographed performance known as the “Mass Games" for the first time in five years. A large group of foreign journalists were invited to cover the gala as well as other major events. 

The Mass Games, one of Pyongyang's largest gala shows, are set to take place in the massive Rungrado May Day Stadium from Sunday to Monday. Historically, up to 100,000 performers take part in the grand display.

Tickets are now open for purchase, with prices ranging from 100 euros (116 US dollars) to 800 euros (926 US dollars), according to Koryo Tours, an independent Western travel company specializing in tourist trips to the DPRK. The pricing this time is almost triple that of the most recent Mass Games in 2013.

Previous military parades marking DPRK's Founding Day

65th anniversary (September 9, 2013)

DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un was at the celebration.

60th anniversary (September 9, 2008)

Then top leader Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un's father, was absent from the parade, with reports citing his health problems. Kim Yong Nam, the DPRK’s chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly since 1998, attended instead.

The Mass Games were also held during 2008's commemoration, themed "Prosper! Homeland!" at the Rungrado May Day Stadium.

30th anniversary (September 9, 1978)