Massive Nkorean Celebrations Go Off Without A Bang

The world expected fireworks of the ballistic missile variety -- instead rain threatened to turn North Korea's largest ever military parade into a damp squib Saturday, as Kim Jong-un oversaw celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of his nation's Workers' Party.



Pyongyang's state-run broadcaster along with select foreign media covered the event, which was delayed by a few hours because of the weather.



North Korea watchers had anticipated a major provocation, such as a long-range rocket launch or nuclear test, in line with the date -- but leader Kim did have some inflammatory words for Washington, insisting that the North is ready to handle any U.S. threats.



The reclusive state was also boosted by the attendance of a senior Chinese Communist Party official at the parade in Pyongyang.



Liu Yunshan had met with Kim a day earlier, when the North Korean leader was handed a letter from his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.



According to China's Xinhua news agency, Xi highlighted the value of their "traditional friendship" -- the two countries fought on the same side during the 1950-53 Korean War against South Korea, the U.S. and other members of the United Nations Command.



Beijing has been looked upon by the global community with great hope in more recent years, given its potential ability to influence Pyongyang's military ambitions.



Liu reportedly insisted that China is prepared to work with North Korea to revive denuclearization talks, even though Pyongyang has repeatedly vowed to pursue the development of nuclear weapons.



Missiles that could already hurt the North's perceived enemies were on show Saturday, along with thousands of soldiers.



While the sight of goose-stepping troops in the North Korean capital is far from unusual, this marked the first parade in the country since 2013.



There has been a curious mix of high tension and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula since August, when the Koreas both exchanged fire and sealed a cooperation agreement that is set to bring about reunions for relatives separated by the North-South border later this month.



It had been feared that any provocation that might breach Pyongyang's U.N. commitments could force the cancellation of the planned family events. - Seoul-t'ukpyolsi