Kim presides over mass parade_美文_趣味英语-查字典英语网

Kim presides over mass parade

Pyongyang celebrates Sept 9, 1948, as the founding day of the DPRK.

The parade came amid an easing of tensions between the DPRK and the Republic of Korea, which were on a virtual war footing just a few months ago following the DPRK's third nuclear test in February.

The DPRK has recently shown an increasing willingness to engage in talks with the ROK, including efforts to reopen a joint industrial complex and allow reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, but it has also taken something of a hard line with the United States.

It canceled at the last minute the visit of a senior US official who had hoped to win the release of a US missionary sentenced to 15 years in the DPRK's prison system and has recently through its official media stepped up criticism of the US military presence in the ROK.

The missionary, 45-year-old Kenneth Bae, was recently transferred to a hospital because of poor health. The DPRK claims it withdrew the invitation to the US official because Washington spoiled the atmosphere for talks by deploying nuclear-capable bombers for drills that were recently held with the ROK.

On Friday, the DPRK reconnected a military hotline to the ROK that was cut at the height of the tensions earlier this year.

About the broadcaster:

Lance Crayon is a videographer and editor with China Daily. Since living in Beijing he has worked for China Radio International (CRI) and Global Times. Before moving to China he worked in the film industry in Los Angeles as a talent agent and producer. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.