North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un ready for 'any kind of war' with the US

The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, has threatened that the Asian military power is ready to engage in "any kind of war waged by the US imperialists". The threats were delivered during a televised broadcast on the 70th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party's foundation.

"The party's revolutionary armament means we are ready to fight any kind of war waged by the US imperialists," he said at the capital Pyongyang's Kim Il-sung Square, adding, "Our Korean People's Army has become the strongest revolutionary force and our country has become an impenetrable fortress and a global military power."

The parade, an exhibition of the country's military might, featured 700 trucks and an estimated 200 armoured vehicles and thousands of soldiers. Liu Yunshan, the fifth most powerful man in China's ruling Communist Party, was present and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the leader.

North Korea's official Korean Central TV showed the leader dressed in black, walking down a red carpet and saluting his honour guard. He then walked up to a podium and waved to his troops.
Military planes also flew in formation above the square, forming the symbol of the Workers' Party of Korea – a hammer, brush and sickle and thousands of civilians took part, holding coloured cards that spelt out the name of Kim Jong Un.

He had previously paid homage to his family's visiting the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun at midnight, where his father Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim Il-sung, North Korea's founding leader have been laid to rest.

The parade is thought to be of particular interest to the US that will be studying the display of weaponry very closely, particularly North Korea's increasing fleet of drone aircraft and long-range missiles.

It will close with a performance by North Korean musical act the Moranbong Band. Tickets for foreigners are being sold at €100 euros (£74).