North Korea marked the 71st anniversary of the Korean War armistice on Saturday with a ceremony in Pyongyang attended by the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un.
North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Sunday that the guests included representatives of foreign diplomatic missions.
The North marks July 27 as “Victory Day.”
Addressing the ceremony, a senior officer of the Korean People’s Army accused the United States and South Korea of “provoking a nuclear war,” in an apparent reference to the two countries’ regular military exercises.
He vowed to Kim that North Korean forces will launch “an overwhelming attack on the enemy” and “totally destroy them once the respected Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un gives an order.”
The article has a photo showing Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora sitting next to North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui.
In June, Pyongyang and Moscow concluded a treaty that stipulates mutual military assistance in the event of a contingency.
Observers say North Korea is aiming to highlight closer ties with Russia as part of its efforts to counter the US.