The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday celebrated¹ the 70th anniversary of the founding of its armed forces, the Korean People's Army.

 

本周四，朝鲜民主主义人民共和国庆祝其武装部队朝鲜人民军建军70周年。
 

 

A military parade started before noon at the Kim Il Sung Square in central Pyongyang, but state television did not broadcast it live as it did on similar occasions in the past.

 

Mass processions were expected to follow the parade through the square under the watch of leaders of the country from a rostrum on the northern side of the plaza².

 

DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un was expected to be present at the parade, the second within 10 months after a grand parade was held on April 25 last year and broadcast live in front of the world.

 

It is not known yet whether the DPRK's latest model of ballistic missile, Hwasong-15, was on display this time.

 

The Hwasong-15, which Pyongyang claimed was an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking the U.S. mainland, was tested in November last year.

 

All the roads and thoroughfares leading to central Pyongyang have been sealed off since Wednesday afternoon.

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