North Korea holds parade without ballistic missiles, reports say - BBC News

Sept. 9, 2018.

North Korea holds parade without ballistic missiles, reports say

The anniversary parade showed off North Korea's military strength
North Korea did not display any intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at a military parade to mark its 70th anniversary, reports say.

It is also unclear whether leader Kim Jong-un made a speech at the event.

The parade is being scrutinised for clues about North Korea's weapons arsenal and professed commitment to denuclearisation.

Some analysts had predicted that Mr Kim would tone down the display after his summit with US President Donald Trump.

A large display of ICBMs - which can reach the US mainland, potentially carrying a nuclear warhead - would have been seen as provocative.

Kim Jong-un's faith in Trump 'unchanged'
Korean reunions: Families divided by war meet in North
Why North Korea is in no hurry to please the US
N Korea 'making missiles' despite US thaw
In June Mr Kim and Mr Trump signed a vague agreement to work towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula but it did not include a timeline, details or mechanisms to verify the process.

Kim Jong-un (c) appeared alongside visiting Chinese politican Li Zhanshu
High-level talks and visits have continued but the most recent scheduled trip by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was called off last minute and both sides have blamed each other for the stalling negotiations while insisting they're committed to the progress.

The BBC's Seoul Correspondent Laura Bicker said any show of ICBMs could have put future discussions and any deal to declare an end to the Korean war at risk.

Participants waved flowers as they passed Mr Kim
North Korea was also due to hold its first mass games in five years. The Arirang Mass Games are an elaborate propaganda spectacle with enormous co-ordinated displays.

This year's games, which tell a symbolic story of North Korea's history, are titled The Glorious Country.

Analysis of satellite images from the past two weeks suggest this year's games, which will continue throughout September, are going to be very big.

Jets drew out the number 70 in the sky, to mark the country's 70th anniversary
Past games have featured gigantic stadiums filled with performers, synchronised gymnasts and co-ordinated dance displays.

The colourful displays are likely to be striking but the UN has in the past said that children are forced to take part, or to help in the build-up.