Winter Olympics: North Korea stages military parade on eve of Games
Kim Jong Un's regime ‘has no plans’ for talks with US officials in PyeongChang
North Korea staged a smaller-than expected military parade on the eve of the Winter Olympics in what some viewed as a provocation to the West.
The 90-minute “curtailed military parade” was not broadcast live - an unusual move apparently aimed at keeping the event low-key, says South Korean news agency Yonhap. The movement of missile-carrying transporter erector launchers was also detected during the preparations, according to reports.
The parade marked the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Korean People’s Army, a date that has traditionally been marked on 25 April. Pyongyang recently changed the date to 8 February, in what has been described as “a clear sign of defiance” and an attempt to upstage the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Games.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
CNN called it a “poke in the eye” for South Korean president Moon Jae-in, after efforts to present a more united Korea at the so-called “Peace Olympics”.
Meanwhile, North Korea says it has no plans for talks with US officials during the Games, Reuters reports, citing state media - “dampening hopes the Games will help resolve a tense stand-off” over nuclear weapons.
The tension creates a diplomatic headache for South Korea. US Vice President Mike Pence - who this week promised “the toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea ever” - arrived in the mountain resort of PyeongChang today. Pence is to attend Friday’s opening ceremony with Fred Warmbier, the father of an American who died after he was imprisoned in North Korea, The Washington Post reports.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, is due to arrive by private jet at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport on Friday afternoon, Reuters says. Her presence creates a diplomatic protocol headache, as the VIP seating plan for the opening ceremony looks likely to place Pence and Kim just metres apart, The Guardian says.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Week Unwrapped: Are we any closer to identifying UFOs?
Podcast Plus, will deals with Tunisia and Kurdistan help Labour? And what next for the Wagner Group?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 - 22 November
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Firing shells, burning ballots, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published