Unity and of the DPRK demonstrated by the Military Parade , Civilian Mass Demonstration and Torchlight Parade--by Dr Dermot Hudson

                                                    

This was my fifth time  to see a military parade in the DPRK , I had previously  watched DPRK military parades in 2012 , 2013 , 2015 and 2017 .The military parade and mass demonstration was held on the morning of Sunday 9th of September, the actual day that the DPRK was founded
 It is always impressive to watch a military parade in the DPRK , that is something different each time . This was also the second parade that the DPRK held in 2018  as in February a massive parade was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People's Army.I think this is the first time that the DPRK has staged 2 military parades in one year.  The DPRK is probably one of the few countries,maybe the only one  in the world  that can stage 2 military parades within the space of  one year .It demonstrated  the power of the DPRK based on the Juche Idea and Songun idea and showed that the DPRK is  totally unbowed by any imperialist sanctions  imposed by the US and UNSC .Indeed the fact that the DPRK can hold 2 military parades in one year just goes to show the imperialist sanctions have no effect on the DPRK whatsoever . The imperialist sanctions can never break the indomitable spirit of the Korean people rallied around respected Marshal KIM JONG UN and the Workers' Party of Korea.
                                                  

    Despite some imperialist mainstream media commentators claiming that the parade was "toned down " etc .Of course some reactionary media have tried to spread a rumour that the DPRK is "opening up " and "reforming " and is dropping militant anti-imperialism . However there was a most impressive display of military hardware which did include short and medium range missiles as well as tanks and artillery.Some anti-ship missile launchers in blue camouflage rolled past I  Moreover the the atmosphere was very uplifting rather than being "toned down" or "subdued ". Indeed the paraders shouted slogans like "Defend KIM JONG UN ". Music such  'We Follow Only You ' and 'Peace is Our Bayonet ' were played . I also recognised the theme tune of the film 'Order 027' when the KPA special forces marched past.The flags of the DPRK , the Workers' Party of Korea and the Supreme Commander were on all the vehicles and fluttered jauntily in the breeze .
                                   

The military parade was held in the presence of dear respected Marshal KIM JONG UN as well as distinguished foreign guests including the vice-president of the People's Republic of China and the vice president of the Syrian Arab Republic. The DPRK national flag and the flag of the Workers' Party of Korea were hoisted on flag poles in a most dignified and precise ceremony that had a kind of majesty about it . Comrade Kim Yong Nam Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly made a short speech .
Leading the parade were troops dressed in the uniform of the anti-Japanese guerrilla's followed by
columns dressed in the uniform  of KPA soldiers of the Fatherland Liberation War .After that paraders from military academies marched past then . Gradually all branches of the Korean People's Army  marched past followed by tanks , artillery and missiles . Planes fly across the square and with fireworks made the number "70 " , this was extremely creative . Then  fighter bomber aircraft of the KPA roared across the sky trailing beautiful plumes of red , white and blue smoke , the colours of the national flag of the DPRK.
                 

The military parade was closely followed by the a massive civilian demonstration . This of course symbolises the unity of the army and people which are unique to Juche Korea. It was a  veritable sea of colour as the marchers went past cheering enthusiastically and waving flowers .We could see watching the parade of the civilians that the people in the DPRK all support respected Marshal
KIM JONG UN and the great Workers' Party of Korea. It was like a great carnival of revolutionary ardour and militancy .There were beautifully designed floats , a real treat to look at. We saw slogans such as "Forward along the road of socialism ", "Lets us live our own way " and " Long live the revolutionary spirit of Mt Paektu " which implicitly rejected "reform " and " opening up " and were basically anti -revisionist.
  When the parade finished  respected  Marshal KIM JONG UN came to the balcony and waved to the crowd . Everyone cheered , jumped up and down and waved.Respected Marshal KIM JONG UN looked happy and confident . He  waved at the crowd . I waved back We were very near. It reminded me of 2012 when we saw the Marshal at a the parade and heard his historic speech,
                   

  A day later in the evening there was another powerful demonstration  of the unity and discipline  of the Korean people namely the torchlight parade staged by young vanguards of the Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism Youth League of the Workers' Party of Korea .The students and young people formed torch-illuminated characters spelling out “Kim Il Sung’s Nation” and “Kim Jong Il’s Korea” and showing the sun.  They depicted the Party’s emblem and characters spelling out “Kim Jong Un’s  era,” “Supreme Leader,” and “Banner of Victory and also Heroic Korea” and “Single-minded Unity.”
 I marvelled at the precision and skill of the marchers  as they formed pictures and symbols with the torches by marching in formation. It was incredible .Only Juche Korea could put on such a parade . In many countries governments would be afraid to bring such a large number of young people together in one place in case disorder or rioting occurred. At the end of the parade fireworks lit up the sky above Kim Il Sung Square symbolising the fact that the celebrations of the foundation of the DPRK were victorious and would shine forever in time !
  The military parade, civilian mass demonstration and the torchlight parade of the youths all symbolised the invincible and steel like unity of the Korean people led by dear respected Marshal
KIM JONG UN and guide by the Juche Idea.
Dr Dermot Hudson
President Association for the Study of Songun Politics UK
Chairman Juche Idea Study Group of England
Official Delegate KFA for UK , Chairman UK Korean Friendship Association.
Chairman British Solidarity Committee For Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula.