Asia Pacific
14:47, 15-Apr-2019
DPRK marks 107th anniversary of Kim Il Sung's birthday without military parade
Updated
23:11, 15-Apr-2019
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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) held a series of political events in Pyongyang on Monday to celebrate the 107th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, founder of the DPRK and grandfather of the country's current leader Kim Jong Un.
On what is known as the Day of the Sun, the country's biggest national holiday, tens of thousands of people turned out to pay tribute to their leaders, laying flowers and bowing to giant statues of Kim Il Sung and his son and successor, Kim Jong Il, on top of Mansu Hill.
Celebrations marking late leader Kim Il Sung's birthday take place in Pyongyang, April 14, 2019. /KCNA Photo
Celebrations marking late leader Kim Il Sung's birthday take place in Pyongyang, April 14, 2019. /KCNA Photo
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un meanwhile visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun and paid his respects to his late father and grandfather, the DPRK's Central Broadcasting Station reported.
In an address on the eve of the anniversary, the DPRK's No.2 leader Choe Ryong Hae reaffirmed the country's determination to build a powerful socialist nation by its own efforts, calling for "making a dynamic struggle for the prosperity of Juche Korea and accomplishment of the cause of socialism, single-heartedly rallied around Kim Jong Un," the official news agency KCNA reported.
The DPRK kept a low profile in celebrating this year's anniversary. It did not hold a military parade as it did in 2017 and 2012. The country has been somewhat restrained recently amid signals there might be upcoming talks with foreign counterparts.
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The Kremlin confirmed on Monday that Kim will have his first-ever meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Friday, Kim expressed his willingness to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump for a third time if Washington offered "mutually acceptable terms." Trump welcomed the decision and hailed his "excellent" relationship with Kim.
Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in welcomed the move and said Monday he is willing to go anywhere to meet Kim for a fourth summit as soon as the DPRK is ready.
(Cover picture: General view of celebrations marking the late leader Kim Il Sung's birthday in
Pyongyang, the DPRK, April 14, 2019. /KCNA Photo)
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