Unbridled fun: how North Korea celebrated the congress of the ruling party
A people's parade of unprecedented proportions on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, attended by hundreds of thousands of North Koreans, took place on the occasion of the first congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in 36 years. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watched the parade from a podium towering over the crowd and waved his hand.
(Total 25 photos)
A man holds torches during a night march in Pyongyang May 9.
The celebration lasted until the very night, when the participants passed with torches, and the square turned into a huge dance floor.
Torch-bearing procession participants sing songs after the end of the 17th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea.
The party congress lasted four days and ended on May 9. The previous one took place in 1980, even before the birth of the current leader. More than 3,400 delegates supported his policies on nuclear weapons and the economy, officials close to him, and appointed Kim Jong-un as head of the party.
The pictures show how large-scale the procession was: hundreds of thousands of people took part in it.
In his decision to organize a party congress, the current leader of North Korea is similar to his famous grandfather Kim Il Sung, who interacted more with the party elite than his father Kim Jong Il. The latter never convened a party congress and preferred to use his circle of proxies to implement his plans.
Koreans sing and hold torches in the name of their leader Kim Jong-un.
As a result of the congress, economic improvements were promised to raise the standard of living in the country. In addition, the delegates noted the success of Kim Jong-un on the nuclear front, despite the growing pressure of international sanctions imposed because of the North Korean military nuclear program.
Brightly dressed North Koreans dance in a square in Pyongyang.
The main goal of the congress was to designate Kim Jong-un as the only leader in the eyes of the people and the party. The announcement of the North Korean leader as the new chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea was the only moment at which invited foreign journalists were able to attend.
Dancers in national costumes.
Kim Jong-un already led the party, but bore the title of first secretary. His predecessors retained their posthumous titles - Kim Jong Il remained the eternal general secretary, and Kim Il Sung - the eternal chairman.
Judging by the mass nature of the holiday, it is easy to assume that North Korea has not known such fun for a long time.
The congress participants also made several personnel changes in the presidium of the party, which allowed Kim Jong-un to promote his close associates.
Fireworks, flags and group dances.
North Korean officials tried to create a rich information agenda for foreign journalists, taking them to all the places they needed to be shown.
This is how the Koreans greeted their leader when he appeared on the podium. This is what they call "the look of love."
On May 9, North Korea expelled BBC correspondent Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, producer Maria Byrne and cameraman Matthew Goddard. He was engaged in the trip of Nobel laureates that had begun earlier and was supposed to leave on Friday, May 13th. He was detained at the airport and interrogated. According to the authorities, the journalist distorted the facts and spoke badly about the system and the leadership of the country.
Dancing and old and young.
The mass dances were attended not only by ordinary citizens, but also by professional acrobats who performed complex numbers.
Koreans praise their ruler with songs and dances.
From so many fireworks in the sky it became light.
The power of the folk action caused an emotional reaction in many.
Parade participants in military uniforms carry the national flags of North Korea.
Members of the youth movement keep pace with the rest and carry torches.
Participants of the dance program in bright national costumes.
Koreans in bright outfits lined up in straight lines.
A sea of torches.
During the day, parade participants carried flowers in their hands.
Drummers march during the parade.
On the podium, Kim Jong-un and the military leadership of the country.
The military elite of North Korea is watching the procession with torches.
Participants of the parade before the start of group dances.
Parade participants hold the flags of the ruling party.
Keywords: Military | Kim Il Sung | Kim Jong Un | Communism | Party | Festivities | Celebration | North Korea | Dancing | Totalitarianism | Tribune | Fireworks