North Korea goes all out for its 70th anniversary

It sends message of a peaceable country open to globalisation

A display during the Mass Games held last Friday at Pyongyang's May Day Stadium. The showcase included the history of North Korea, from its founding in 1948 to talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April.
A display during the Mass Games held last Friday at Pyongyang's May Day Stadium. The showcase included the history of North Korea, from its founding in 1948 to talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April. ST PHOTO: LIM YAN LIANG
North Korea pulled out all its technological stops for the Mass Games, which resumed this month after a hiatus of six years. It included a synchronised drone performance, 3D laser projections and fireworks.
North Korea pulled out all its technological stops for the Mass Games, which resumed this month after a hiatus of six years. It included a synchronised drone performance, 3D laser projections and fireworks. ST PHOTO: LIM YAN LIANG
Held at Pyongyang's 150,000-seater May Day Stadium, the Mass Games, which is officially known as the Grand Mass Gymnastics and Artistic Performance, began on Sept 9 and ends on Oct 10. ST PHOTO: LIM YAN LIANG
The games traced 70 years of North Korea from its founding in 1948 through the Korean War, the rise of its domestic industries, the fall of other communist states such as East Germany, to talks with Mr Moon at the truce village of Panmunjom this April. ST PHOTO: LIM YAN LIANG
Performances from the mass games at Pyongyang's May Day Stadium, on Sept 21, 2018. ST PHOTO: LIM YAN LIANG
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North Korea, which marks the 70th anniversary of its founding this month, has capped a euphoric week that included a visit by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and a mega Mass Games showcase that involved a passionate call for unification.

The games, which The Sunday Times caught last Friday, resumed this month after a hiatus of six years.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on September 23, 2018, with the headline North Korea goes all out for its 70th anniversary. Subscribe