In Pictures

Gallery

North Korea marks late leader’s 105th birthday

Huge parade sees thousands of soldiers and weapons, including wide range of missiles during march through Pyongyang.

North Korea
North Korean soldiers carry flags and a photo of late leader Kim Il-sung during a military parade. [Wong Maye-e/AP]
Published On 15 Apr 2017

North Korea has marked the 105th birthday of late founding leader and “eternal president” Kim Il-sung with a massive military parade in the capital Pyongyang.

Thousands of soldiers and military vehicles took part in the celebration on Saturday to the accompaniment of marching-band music in front of a large applauding audience.

Kim Jong-un – Kim Il-sung’s grandson – inspected the parade, saluting passing soldiers.

The event also appeared to feature a new intercontinental ballistic missile and prototypes of submarine-launched missiles.

Kim Il-sung’s birthday is known as the “Day of the Sun” and is the most important national holiday in North Korea.

OPINION: Will China intervene in North Korea?

North Korea
North Korean aircraft form the number 105 as they do a flyover. [How Hwee-young/EPA]
Advertisement
North Korea
Female North Korean soldiers take part in the massive military march. [Wong Maye-e/AP]
North Korea
North Korean anti-aircraft batteries drive through the parade. [How Hwee-young/EPA]
North Korea
Men and women dressed to represent doctors and other medical workers march across Kim Il-sung Square. [Wong Maye-e/AP]
North Korea
Soldiers march across Kim Il-sung Square during the huge celebration, North Korea's most important holiday. [Wong Maye-e/AP]
North Korea
Women wearing traditional clothes react as they march past the stand where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sat. [Damir Sagolj/Reuters]
Advertisement
North Korea
Fireworks explode as North Korean men and women participate in a mass dance during the closing ceremony. [Wong Maye-e/AP]