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In hermit country North Korea, a military occasion was marked with a massive show of strength, but a missile test, which was feared in the region did not happen.

Long-range, live-fire artillery tests were carried out in celebration of the 85th anniversary of the founding of its army, but said the event did not include a nuclear weapons test.

A North Korea defence expert told the South China Morning Post it is because the country fears a radical opposition which it cannot control.

Zhou Chenming, from the Knowfar Institute for Strategic and Defence Studies, said Jong-un is trying to prevent the election of radicals in neighbouring South Korea.

Mr Chenming, said: “Kim would prefer a moderate candidate to be elected because he or she would be easier to deal with.”