The country marked the 75th anniversary of its ruling Workers’ Party with a rare predawn military parade attended by Kim Jong-un.

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ( pic) addressed an unusual pre-dawn military parade, praising the troops for working hard to respond to natural disasters and prevent a coronavirus outbreak, state television reported.

The country yesterday marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Workers’ Party with a raft of concerts and festivals, and the ceremony was seen around the region as an event where Kim could deliver messages to domestic and foreign audiences.

State television began broadcasting edited footage of the event later yesterday after a day of silence about the parade, which was held in Pyongyang’s recently renovated Kim Il-sung Square.

Officials in Seoul and Washington had said the North might unveil new strategic weapons.

Initial footage of the parade showed conventional troops marching in formation and what appeared to be ballistic missiles on vehicles.

The video showed Kim making an appearance as a clock struck midnight. Dressed in a grey suit and tie, he waved to the crowd and accepted flowers from children while surrounded by military officials wearing rows of medals.

Sometimes appearing emotional, Kim thanked the military for working hard to respond to natural disasters and to prevent a coronavirus outbreak.

North Korea has not reported any domestic infections, an assertion that South Korea and the United States have questioned.

Kim said he hoped that North and South Korea would join hands again after the coronavirus crisis is over.

While attendees at other holiday events were shown wearing masks, no one at the parade appeared to be wearing any masks.

The event comes as the isolated country carries out strict measures against the coronavirus.

State media said the curbs have caused delays in some of Kim’s key economic and construction projects, already dogged by international sanctions.