North Korea Marks Major Holiday amid Tensions

North Koreans celebrate a major national holiday, the 101st anniversary of the birth of founding father Kim Il-sung, amid growing tensions over the country's nuclear program.

Early on Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un paid his respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, which houses the tomb of both his grandfather Kim Il-sung and his father Kim Jong-il, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

North Korea has increased its bellicose rhetoric following fresh UN sanctions imposed after its third nuclear test and joint military manoeuvres by the US and South Korea.

There is speculation that the North will use Kim Il-sung's birthday for a missile launch.

International media have reminded that Pyongyang launched a rocket with the stated aim of putting a satellite into orbit to mark the 100th anniversary of Kim Il-sung's birth at this time last year. The rocket broke up shortly after take-off.

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