North Korea staged a major military parade on Saturday to mark the 60th anniversary of the Korean War ceasefire, celebrated as Victory Day in the communist state.
State television showed lavish displays of armaments and soldiers on parade in the capital Pyongyang, as spectators joined in shouting allegiance to leader Kim Jong Un.
Kim Jong-un and Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao witnessed the parade in Kim Il-sung Square, named after Kim’s grandfather who founded the North Korean state.
The South Korea marked the date of the armistice in a more subdued fashion, honouring the sacrifices of its soldiers and the international forces that fought against the 1950 invasion across the 38th parallel,
President Park Geun-hye vowed not to tolerate provocations but also expressed a desire to build trust with the North.
“I urge North Korea to give up the development of nuclear weapons if the country is to start on a path towards true change and progress,” she said.