North Korea marks key anniversary amid tensions over weapons tests

Experts say North Korea aims to expand its weapons arsenal and ramp up pressure on the United States amid long-stalled nuclear diplomacy

People pay tribute at the statues of North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il (Jon Chol Jin/AP)

North Korea has been marking a key state anniversary with calls for stronger loyalty to leader Kim Jong Un.

The 110th anniversary of the birth of Mr Kim’s late grandfather and state founder, Kim Il Sung, comes after North Korea conducted a spate of weapons tests in recent months, including its first full-range intercontinental ballistic missile launch since 2017.