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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday held a grand military parade to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).

Top leader Kim Jong-il, general secretary of the WPK and chairman of the National Defense Commission, appeared in front of cheering crowds at the massive ceremony in central Pyongyang, which featured phalanxes of soldiers, tanks, missiles and other military hardware. Dressed in his customary khaki tunic suit, he applauded and raised his right hand to salute the troops.

The parade, broadcast on state television, was said to be the nation's largest ever, an impressive display of unity and military might. A select group of media outlets was allowed into the country to cover the festivities.

Also on the observatory rostrum was Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, who arrived on Saturday morning for a three-day official visit.

Among senior DPRK officials present at the ceremony was Kim Jong-un, one of the two newly elected vice-chairmen of the WPK's Central Military Commission. The third son of Kim Jong-il - as reported by the foreign media - Kim Jong-un won his first military post with the promotion to four-star general late last month, and was appointed during a Sept 28 political convention to the WPK's Central Military Commission as well as the party's Central Committee.

"The future of our country is rosy and bright because Kim Jong-un was elected vice-chairman of the military commission of the WPK," a government official, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.

Thousands of troops from every branch of the DPRK's 1.2-million-strong military, as well as from naval officers' academies and military nursing schools, marched around central Kim Il-sung Square, decorated with banners and flags, to the accompaniment of a military brass band and ordinary citizens waving plastic bouquets.

Tanks and trucks loaded with Katyusha rocket launchers and grenades rolled past. They were dwarfed by the series of missiles that paraded by, each larger than the last and emblazoned with: "Defeat the US military. US soldiers are the Korean People's Army's enemy."

"If the US imperialists and their followers infringe on our sovereignty and dignity even slightly, we will blow up the stronghold of their aggression with a merciless and righteous retaliatory strike by mobilizing all physical means, including self-defensive nuclear deterrent force, and achieve the historic task of unification," Ri Yong-ho, chief of the general staff of the DPRK army, said at the event. He reviewed the troops by car before the parade started.

Hundreds of thousands of people assembled on the square, waving bouquets from time to time during the ceremony.

"This military parade shows that we are certain of success if the US dares to attack us," said Kim Yoon-jong 21, a factory worker at the parade wearing traditional red, white and pink dress.

The military might show was the climax following days of celebrations of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the WPK. A mass gymnastic and artistic show named Arirang, with more than 100,000 performers, was staged in Pyongyang on Saturday.

Questions:

1. What is the name of Kim Jong-Il’s third son?

2. What is the estimated numbers of the DPRK’s Military?

3. What did the parade celebrate?

Answers:

1. King Jong-Un.

2. 1.2 million.

3. 65 Anniversary of the WPK.

去听写专区一展身手

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）

Todd Balazovic is a reporter for the Metro Section of China Daily. Born in Mineapolis Minnesota in the US, he graduated from Central Michigan University and has worked for the China daily for one year.