북한, 노동당 창건일 조용히 넘어가... 노동신문 "경제건설에 일심단결"

Today marks the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party.
Usually, the regime celebrates this date with reports from the state media and a number of grand events,... but the atmosphere this year seems to be quite calm.
For details let's turn to our Oh Jung-hee.
October 10th is one of the four major dates North Korea celebrates every year.
The date marks the foundation of its ruling Workers' Party of Korea back in 1945.
But this year's celebration was quiet compared to previous years.
Pyeongyang's senior officials visited the Party Founding Museum on Tuesday... and performances are being held across the country, but overall, there's less emphasis on the date from the regime.

"Usually, the militaries of South Korea and the U.S. would be on a readiness posture on this day, but there's been no particular movement seen from North Korea. They've already held a military parade a month ago on September 9th. Also, North Korea is negotiating with the U.S. and South Korea. They're holding back from showing any hard-line stance."

Pyeongyang's state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun released an op-ed on Wednesday... that stresses the goal of economic development.
It called on all North Koreans to work as one to successfully carry out the five-year development plan.
It also said... that Kim Jong-un has brought about a wave of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.
All that... stands in stark contrast to the report last year... which claimed Pyeongyang should win in its confrontation with Washington... through its simultaneous development of nuclear weapons and the economy.

Meanwhile, the tight relationship between Beijing and Pyeongyang also stands out this year.
The Chinese Communist Party sent a floral basket to Pyeongyang's Workers' Party... and the state newspaper reported about it on its front page.
In the past two years, Pyeongyang did not report about it, despite receiving the gift.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.