Watch: North Korea held a military parade on its anniversary, but without ballistic missiles
The reduced display of nuclear arsenal may be in accordance with the ongoing negotiations with the US and even earned a thank you tweet from Donald Trump.
North Korea stages military parade to mark its 70th anniversary as a nation. Read more: https://t.co/SJSaWsUt9y pic.twitter.com/DKR6mZxWsD
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 9, 2018
North Korea held a massive military parade to celebrate its 70th anniversary on Sunday. But, in a huge departure from tradition, this year’s parade did not feature long-range missiles.
The theme of the celebrations was economic development and bringing together the Korean peninsula, Reuters reported. The parade was smaller in scale than expected and swapped the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) that are usually on display with floats and flowers.
About 100,000 people were also estimated to have performed in the first Arirang Mass Games to be held in five years, a choreographed pageant to display national unity.
No ballistic missiles seen in North Korea’s 70th anniversary parade https://t.co/fuhl0YuT61 pic.twitter.com/nhUW4mDVQh
— RT (@RT_com) September 9, 2018
▪ NORTH KOREA MASS GAMES#NorthKorea's #MassGames highlight diplomatic progress with advanced technology pic.twitter.com/V4w6fAf6T7
— Arirang News (@arirangtvnews) September 10, 2018
Not invoking the nuclear weapons programme may be a signal of support for the country’s ongoing negotiations with the US. Sure enough, President Donald Trump tweeted a thank you to Chairman Kim Jong Un.
North Korea has just staged their parade, celebrating 70th anniversary of founding, without the customary display of nuclear missiles. Theme was peace and economic development. “Experts believe that North Korea cut out the nuclear missiles to show President Trump......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2018
...its commitment to denuclearize.” @FoxNews This is a big and very positive statement from North Korea. Thank you To Chairman Kim. We will both prove everyone wrong! There is nothing like good dialogue from two people that like each other! Much better than before I took office.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 9, 2018
