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April 22, 2018

Pyongyang’s ‘other’ military parade in pictures

Behind the scenes images show a lighter side of the mass military gathering

by Hamish Macdonald, Tuesday 18 April 2017 10:15 GMT

Following North Korea’s massive military parade in Kim Il Sung Square on Saturday, participating troops and some of the heavier equipment rolled through Pyongyang in a separate showing for citizens and some foreign tourists.

While the soldiers – during the official proceedings – were stern faced as they goose stepped in unison, the troops replaced their guns with flowers and balloons as they drove in flat bed trucks passed waving to the crowds on either side.

NK News has obtained images of this ‘other’ parade, which show a more relaxed and jovial scene in comparison to the display of military might in Kim Il Sung Square.

 

Look to the skies

Spectators look to the skies as North Korea’s air force flies in formation overhead, marking the 105th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth

Red, white and blue

Colored jet streams leave their mark in the sky after North Korean jets fly by

The 'other' parade

People lining the street get ready as the first trucks of soldiers fresh from marching in Kim Il Sung Square begin to arrive

Covered up

The floats present in the civilian section of the parade arrive, this time with the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il covered up with sheeting

Floating down Ryomyong

A float dedicated to Ryomgyong Street, the massive construction undertaking that was officially opened by current leader Kim Jong Un on Thursday

Heavy equipment

The crew manning a North Korean self-propelled gun don smiles and waves, a contrast to the stern faces and salutes seen during the parade. The tanks - among other heavy equipment - are partially covered up, which they were not during their drive-by through Kim Il Sung Square

In amongst it all

A child on his father’s shoulders watches on as North Korean mobile artillery drives by a cheering crowd

All smiles

A female soldier leans out of a truck carrying North Korean missiles, which are covered up by camouflage netting

The flag of the DPRK

Soldiers pass by on a jeep bearing the flag of the DPRK, which was hoisted above Kim Il Sung Square prior to the parade starting

Strike up the band

Female military band members wave to the crowd as some continue to play their instruments as they roll down the street

Balloons out for the boys

Trucks full of Korean People’s Army (KPA) personnel in line with the unopened Ryugyong Hotel looming in the background

Disarmament

A soldier holds a balloon in place of the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) he gripped during the march in Kim Il Sung Square

Cheering the crowd

North Korean armed forces personnel cheering the crowd lined along the streets, a far cry from the screams bellowed out as they goose stepped past current leader Kim Jong Un not long before

Smiles all around

North Korean soldiers holding balloons and flowers instead of their weapons, which lay at their feet

Here they come

Citizens not present at the massive military parade line the street to see their soldiers after official proceedings ended

A different tone

Female soldiers smile and wave towards the crowd as they drive past

Gunning for it

A soldier holds both his large anti-tank weapon and a bunch of flowers as he takes part in the post parade drive by

Band together

A truck with military band personnel and the flag of the Worker’s Party of Korea (WPK) drive passed, with some continuing to play their instruments.

Flower girl

A view from behind the cue as more KPA personnel drive past on flat bed trucks seen in Pyongyang the day before the parade.

Special scenes

North Korean special forces in war paint waving balloons and flowers at the crowd

The viewing deck

In the foreground, Korean women dressed in traditional clothes wait for troops to pass while other citizens watch on from their balconies above

A barrel of laughs

North Korean special forces troops still wearing night vision goggles smiling at the crowd seeing them off

Side by side

Both locals and tourists were able to see the more relaxed parade and stood shoulder to shoulder as floats, military personnel and equipment passed by

North Korean tradition

Locals with flowers and flags wave as personnel from North Korea’s air force pass by.

A road well travelled

A man crosses the street with his bike after the tanks, troops and floats have disappeared

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