Inside the most secretive society on earth – Asia Correspondent John Sparks reports from North Korea as Channel 4 News becomes the first news organisation to question leader Kim Jong-un.

North Korea may largely hide its activities from the rest of the world but it certainly knows how to stage a military parade – and ensure it is beamed around the globe.

Tens of thousands of soldiers marched through the capital Pyongyang earlier with a huge arsenal of weapons as fighter jets and helicopters swooped overhead.

The grand show of strength was to honour the country’s young leader Kim Jong-un and to mark the 60th anniversary of the truce which ended the Korean war.

Asia Correspondent John Sparks is one of the very few western journalists allowed to witness these events – and the only person to ask Kim Jong-un himself for a message to the west.

He asked: “What message are you trying to send?” Kim Jong-un did not respond.

But his supporters did.

“The message is clear – we are strong and can repel any attack,” one man told Channel 4 News.

Some of the cheers along the parade route were pre-recorded and broadcast from large speakers – and some of the weapons, made from plastic.

Above: Channel 4 News becomes the first foreign news organisation to ask Kim Jong-un a question.