On the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, North Korea organized large-scale rallies in Pyongyang where participants pledged a “war of revenge” to destroy the United States, according to state media reports. Approximately 120,000 working people and students joined the demonstrations held across the capital on Sunday, as stated by the North Korean news agency KCNA.
Photos released by state media depicted a packed stadium filled with individuals holding placards bearing slogans such as “The whole US mainland is within our shooting range” and “The imperialist US is the destroyer of peace.” The anniversary event occurred amidst concerns that North Korea might soon conduct another launch of its first military spy satellite, aiming to enhance monitoring of US military activities. The country’s initial attempt to launch a satellite on May 31 ended in failure.
According to KCNA, North Korea now possesses “the strongest absolute weapon to punish the US imperialists,” with its people fervently motivated to seek revenge against the enemy. This statement likely refers to North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. The nuclear-armed nation has been conducting tests of various weapons, including its largest intercontinental ballistic missile, escalating tensions with both South Korea and its main ally, the United States. In a separate report by the foreign ministry, North Korea accused the US of “making desperate efforts to ignite a nuclear war” and criticized Washington for deploying strategic assets in the region.
The 1950-53 Korean War concluded with a truce rather than a formal treaty, leaving North and South Korea in a state of technical war. This ongoing situation contributes to the existing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea’s mass rallies and aggressive rhetoric against the United States underscore the strained relations between the two countries. These events highlight the ongoing military posturing by North Korea and its pursuit of advanced weapons technology. The international community continues to closely monitor the situation, recognizing the potential for further escalation in the region.