Goose-stepping soldiers, columns of tanks and a broad array of ominous-looking missiles poised on mobile launchers paraded through Pyongyang’s main square today in a painstakingly choreographed military pageant.

Veterans in medal-laden uniforms have streamed into North Korea’s capital for ceremonies marking the end of the Korean War, an annual event being closely watched after the secretive country’s new leader reshuffled the leadership of the military.

Tens of thousands of North Koreans rallied in their capital to condemn the United States and South Korea on the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, while Seoul told Pyongyang to admit responsibility for a deadly warship sinking.