Hundreds of flatbed trucks packed with soldiers lined the banks of the Taedong river ahead of a parade through the North Korean capital. But it is also intended to send an unmistakable message to Washington, Seoul, Tokyo and other capitals about the isolated, nuclear-armed North's military might. According to diplomats, North Korean officials have described the US president as "unpredictable" and been unnerved by his comments and actions. Pyongyang could use the parade as a show of strength in preference to a nuclear test, analysts said. Pyongyang was "upset with all of its neighbours", said Bruce Bennett of the Rand Organisation and Kim needs to "demonstrate defiance".

Source: Daily Nation April 15, 2017 04:30 UTC