PYONGYANG, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- In stark contrast to the nerve-rattling tensions on the Korean Peninsula last year, economic development was the focus of a large-scale parade in Pyongyang marking the 70th founding anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
In the parade staged at Kim Il Sung Square in central Pyongyang on Sunday morning, some military weapons, including rockets and tanks, were on display. But the scale was not as big as expected and long-range missiles were nowhere to be seen.
Instead, a shift of focus to economic development could be spotted through the parade as part of the DPRK's road-map for future development.
An array of industrial workers wearing uniforms and helmets were among the participants. A slogan of "All our might to build the economy" and working scenes of agriculture, fisheries and metallurgy were among the floats.
Ahead of the parade, Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, said that guided by economic construction, self-reliance as well as science and technology, the DPRK will achieve sound development, and contribute to the unification of the Korean Peninsula and to world peace.
As a sign of improving ties between Pyongyang and Seoul, the parade also featured a float under the theme of national reunification. The float was decorated with a board showing the Panmunjom Declaration, the June 15th North-South Joint Declaration and the Oct. 4 Joint Declaration.
All the three declarations related to peaceful reunification were signed between the leaders of the DPRK and South Korea following an inter-Korean summit.
The latest one was adopted between DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April this year at the border village of Panmunjom.
A video showing the historical moment of hand-shaking and hugging between Kim and Moon at Panmunjom was played during a large group gymnastics performance on Sunday night.
These events have raised expectations for the upcoming Kim-Moon meeting for the third time this year which is scheduled for Sept. 18-20 in Pyongyang.
