The guides were tight-lipped, even at 11 PM the night before, telling journalists to be in the lobby at 4:30 AM without mobile phones, laptops, lighters or bags. But the international press, based out of Pyongyang’s Yanggakdo International Hotel since Wednesday, knew what was in store for them.
Saturday was one of North Korea’s most significant public holidays. The Day of the Sun, the celebration of the anniversary of the first of the country’s founding President Kim Il Sung, is always a grand show in the DPRK.
And the North Koreans did not disappoint. After a grueling early morning start and four security checkpoints – one at the April 25 House of Culture and three near the site of the rally – a dramatic display of North Korea militarism boomed across the city as Kim Jong Un applauded and smiled approvingly.
NK News had a front row seat.
Christina Lee contributed to this gallery.