North Korea is intensifying the festive atmosphere by welcoming veteran war participants ahead of the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War armistice signing (July 27), which it commemorates as "Victory Day."
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on the 26th that "grand celebrations marking the 73rd anniversary of victory in the Fatherland Liberation War will be held in the capital, Pyongyang." The previous day, war veterans and wartime meritorious workers arrived in Pyongyang to attend the events.
The KCNA reported that "officials of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party warmly welcomed them at Pyongyang Station and their accommodations," adding that "citizens and youth students on the streets of the capital waved their hands toward the procession of buses carrying the war veterans and wartime meritorious workers, sending greetings of respect and congratulations."
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un sent gifts to veterans across the country to mark the 73rd anniversary of Victory Day, saying, "Even if the comrade war veterans simply sit in good health, they become an infinite source of strength for our party and people and great encouragement for our revolution."
North Korea claims it defeated the United States in the Korean War and commemorates the date the armistice was signed as Victory Day, a national holiday. Although this year is not a milestone anniversary (falling on multiples of five or 10 years) valued by socialist states, there is speculation that a military parade will be held to mark Victory Day, as large troop transport trucks were spotted at Pyongyang's Mirim Airport.
