North Korean leader Mr Kim Jong-il made a rare public appearance today as tens of thousands of troops gathered for a huge parade to celebrate army day.
North Korea has heralded the 70th anniversary of its 1.2-million-strong army as one of the most important festivals to celebrate the achievements of state founder Kim Il-sung, father of leader and supreme army commander Kim Jong-il.
As the climax to the 90-minute parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean People's Army, the bespectacled Kim walked slowly along the raised dais, smiling and raising both hands above his head to wave at the assembled troops.
The huge crowd roared their approval, shouting: "May our comrade General Kim Jong-il live 10,000 years".
Kim (60) became chairman of the National Defence Commission in 1993. That is still his official title although he assumed control of the state and ruling communist party three years after the death in 1994 of his father.
North Korea, which has the world's fourth-largest standing army, has recently put renewed emphasis on what it calls a military-first policy.