Pyongyang marks founder's 105th birth anniversary, displays new submarine-based missiles

Pyongyang : North Korea on Saturday displayed a new intercontinental missile, during the grand military parade here to celebrate the 105th birth anniversary of its founder, Kim Il Sung.

During the parade, the regime presented a hitherto unseen projectile mounted on trucks driving through the centre of the capital city, powered by solid fuel, Efe news reported.

However, experts were still analysing features of this new projectile, which could yet turn out to be just a model, as North Korea is known to present mock-ups of missiles that are still under development.

In addition to the new model, the country also displayed medium-range Musudan missiles; the KN-08, which can be launched from mobile platforms but is yet to be tested successfully.

These displays were for the first time in front of the general public. Meanwhile, pictures on state television showed thousands of soldiers marching in the parade alongside tanks, balloons and enormous crowds, CNN reported.

Leader Kim Jong-un attended the event and was seen clapping and smiling from a reviewing box. At one point, the soldiers directed a chant toward him.

"We will die for you", they yelled. The birth anniversary called "The Day of the Sun" is a public holiday usually marked by grand military parades, mass celebrations and other large displays of national pride.

North Koreans have been seen practicing choreographed dance routines in their brightly coloured national dress, reports CNN.

Kim Il Sung died in 1994 at the age of 82, after leading his country from its establishment in 1948 until his death.

However, this year's celebrations come at a tense time on the Korean Peninsula, days after a US strike group was deployed to the region and amid expectations of another missile or nuclear test by Pyongyang.

North Korean state media warned that such "reckless acts of aggression" would be countered with "whatever methods the US wants to take".