North Korea celebrated the 110th birthday of its deceased state founder, while a U.S. aircraft carrier group was in waters east of the peninsula with Pyongyang poised for provocations that could include its first nuclear test since 2017.
Festivities that included dance celebrations, music and fireworks commenced Friday night in Pyongyang, state TV said, as part of the celebrations for the Day of the Sun holiday to mark the birthday of Kim Il Sung — the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un.
"Today is our nation’s most auspicious holiday,” the state’s official television broadcaster reported as it showed thousands of young North Koreans wearing surgical masks and dancing in Kim Il Sung Square in central Pyongyang.