This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34493672
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
North Korea to hold huge parades for 70th anniversary | North Korea to hold huge parades for 70th anniversary |
(about 4 hours later) | |
North Korea is to hold what is expected to be one of its biggest celebrations ever, marking 70 years anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party. | |
A cavalcade of armoured vehicles and ballistic missiles is expected to rumble through the capital Pyongyang accompanied by marching troops. | A cavalcade of armoured vehicles and ballistic missiles is expected to rumble through the capital Pyongyang accompanied by marching troops. |
North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-un will preside over the ceremony, but no world leaders will be attending. | North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong-un will preside over the ceremony, but no world leaders will be attending. |
Heavy overnight rain was reported to be delaying the start of proceedings. | |
Correspondents say Saturday's event will be closely watched for any new military hardware indicating the North's military development. | |
When it announced plans for the anniversary earlier this year, the government spoke of "cutting-edge" weaponry suitable for modern warfare. | When it announced plans for the anniversary earlier this year, the government spoke of "cutting-edge" weaponry suitable for modern warfare. |
It is not known if Kim Jong-un - grandson of North Korea's first leader, Kim Il-sung - will speak at any of the day's events, although the anniversary is expected to send a signal of defiance, particularly to South Korea and the United States. | It is not known if Kim Jong-un - grandson of North Korea's first leader, Kim Il-sung - will speak at any of the day's events, although the anniversary is expected to send a signal of defiance, particularly to South Korea and the United States. |
The North Korean leader began the day by paying respects to his late father and grandfather at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, official media reported. | |
Officials did not divulge details of the day's celebrations, although thousands of Pyongyang citizens have been seen in public squares across the city practising for a torchlight parade to be held in the evening. | |
A stage has also been set up on a river for a late-night concert featuring the all-female Moranbong Band - North Korea's most popular musical group. | A stage has also been set up on a river for a late-night concert featuring the all-female Moranbong Band - North Korea's most popular musical group. |
China, North Korea's closest ally, has sent a senior Communist Party official to the anniversary. | China, North Korea's closest ally, has sent a senior Communist Party official to the anniversary. |
Nuclear tests | Nuclear tests |
North Korea's nuclear programme has long been a cause for alarm in the region. | North Korea's nuclear programme has long been a cause for alarm in the region. |
Pyongyang is believed to have conducted three underground nuclear tests and is threatening a fourth, despite international condemnation and sanctions. | Pyongyang is believed to have conducted three underground nuclear tests and is threatening a fourth, despite international condemnation and sanctions. |
Last month, it announced it was restarting its main nuclear facility Yongbyon and that it was improving its nuclear weapons "in quality and quantity". | Last month, it announced it was restarting its main nuclear facility Yongbyon and that it was improving its nuclear weapons "in quality and quantity". |
The North claims it has made a nuclear device small enough to fit into the warhead of a missile. | The North claims it has made a nuclear device small enough to fit into the warhead of a missile. |
US officials, however, have cast doubt on this claim and experts say it is difficult to assess the progress North Korea has made on miniaturisation. | US officials, however, have cast doubt on this claim and experts say it is difficult to assess the progress North Korea has made on miniaturisation. |
North and South Korea remain technically at war because the 1950-1953 war ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. | North and South Korea remain technically at war because the 1950-1953 war ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. |