A massive outdoor rally in North Korea's capital Pyongyang to mark the 63rd anniversary of the country's founding.
Leader, Kim Jong-il attended the ceremony with his son and heir apparent Kim Jong-un.
The two received an enthusiastic reception from the thousands of soldiers, citizens and government officials who participated in the rally.
The ceremony, broadcast live on state TV om Friday, also featured a characteristic display of the country's military might.
But Kim recently told his neighbour and ally China that he is willing to return to stalled nuclear talks, 'without precondition'.
The ailing leader said he was committed to the aim of a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.
Meanwhile across the border in South Korea, north Korean defectors marked the day by launching huge balloons into their former country containing anti-Pyongyang leaflets and cash.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) ANTI-NORTH KOREA PROTESTER PARK SANG-HAK SAYING:
"Today marks the 63th anniversary of the founding of the North's hypocritical regime. We, North Korean defectors, are launching anti-North Korea leaflets to let them (North Korean people) know that South Korea is truthful and the North is hypocritical and full of lies."
20 balloons were launched containing 300,000 leaftles and 1000 one-dollar bills.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters
