- Title: Pyongyang holds massive rally marking end of congress
- Date: 10th May 2016
- Summary: MILITARY BRASS BAND PLAYING INSTRUMENTS/ BALLOONS FLYING IN AIR BALLOONS FLYING IN AIR PEOPLE HOLDING UP NORTH KOREAN NATIONAL FLAGS AND MARCHING THROUGH SQUARE FLAGS BEING MOVED PEOPLE WAVING COLOURFUL FLORAL BOUQUETS PEOPLE PUTTING DOWN COLOURFUL FLORAL BOUQUETS AFTER PARADE
- Embargoed: 25th May 2016 08:00
- Keywords: Kim Jong Un Workers Party Congress mass rally parade
- Location: PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA
- City: PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA
- Country: North Korea
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0034H84ZET
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A mass rally and parade was held on Tuesday (May 10) in North Korean capital's main ceremonial square, a day after the ruling party wrapped up its first congress in 36 years by elevating its leader Kim Jong Un to party chairman.
During the four-day congress, the isolated country said it would continue to expand its nuclear arsenal, in defiance of United Nations sanctions, but said it would only use them if it was threatened with nuclear weapons.
North Korea had been engaged in a 70-day campaign of accelerated productivity in the run-up to the congress, including a sprucing-up of the capital.
For Tuesday's tightly choreographed event, Kim traded the western-style suit worn during the congress for the more traditional uniform of North Korean leaders, a dark jacket buttoned to the collar, and was flanked on a viewing platform by top military and party officials.
Parade participants were pride for their nationality and witnessing this event.
"I believe that the seventh party congress is a very historical and meaningful event which demonstrates the dignity, the might, and the greatness of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) to the whole world. And I think elevating our dear respected leader (Kim Jong Un) to the high post of the party is our people's biggest pride and the highest honour," said 36-year-old worker Kim Sung.
"It is an honour to be here and take part in this massive parade. When I saw our respected Marshal on the stage, I was really moved", said 25-year-old Librarian Ri Hae Un.
North Korean and Chinese state media carried a message of congratulations to Kim from Chinese President Xi Jinping for his promotion at the party congress.
Relations between North Korea and its main ally China have become frosty over Beijing's growing frustration over North Korea's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons, and China backed tough new U.N. Security Council sanctions in March in response to the North's January nuclear test, its fourth.
There was no direct mention of North Korea's nuclear programme in Xi's message.
An unusually large contingent of 128 foreign journalists from 12 countries were issued visas to visit the secretive country during the congress, but their access to formal proceedings was limited to a brief visit by a small group to the event venue late on Monday (May 9). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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