Seoul: Foreign journalists visiting North Korea have been told to prepare for a "big and important event" on Thursday, although there were no indications it was directly linked to tensions in the region over the isolated state's nuclear weapons programme.
Around 200 foreign journalists are in Pyongyang as the country marks the 105th birth anniversary of its founding president Kim Il Sung on April 15, North Korea's biggest national day called "Day of the Sun".
More World News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:19
Shows of force as North Korea-US tensions ...
Shows of force as North Korea-US tensions rise
As a US Navy strike force heads toward the Korean peninsula, Donald Trump pressures China to help "solve the North Korea problem" while Pyongyang fires off a defiant warning.
Up Next
Russian UN ambassador unloads on US envoy
- Video duration
- 02:18
- Video duration
- 02:18
Russian UN ambassador unloads on US envoy
Russian UN ambassador unloads on US envoy
The United States told Russia at the United Nations that it is isolating itself by continuing to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Up Next
Hugh Evans - Global Citizen
- Video duration
- 00:52
- Video duration
- 00:52
Hugh Evans - Global Citizen
Hugh Evans - Global Citizen
What is the 'Global Citizen' movement? Hugh Evans explains.
Up Next
The dark side of the prawn
- Video duration
- 01:01
- Video duration
- 01:01
The dark side of the prawn
The dark side of the prawn
Synalpheus pinkfloydi, a newly discovered species of shrimp is named after rock band Pink Floyd.
Up Next
Cyclone set to make landfall in NZ
- Video duration
- 02:39
- Video duration
- 02:39
Cyclone set to make landfall in NZ
Cyclone set to make landfall in NZ
Cyclone Cook is expected to reach the North Island by Thursday afternoon, bringing heavy rain and gales to already battered parts of New Zealand.
Up Next
Native Americans worry as Trump wall looms
- Video duration
- 02:17
- Video duration
- 02:17
Native Americans worry as Trump wall looms
Native Americans worry as Trump wall looms
Native American nation, Tohono O'odham fear that the President Trump border wall would not only sever their land, but also slice through their community and culture.
Up Next
Trump enjoys cake as he bombs Iraq... err Syria
- Video duration
- 01:15
- Video duration
- 01:15
Trump enjoys cake as he bombs Iraq... err ...
Trump enjoys cake as he bombs Iraq... err Syria
In an interview on Fox, Donald Trump recounts the moment he ordered a missile strike on Iraq Syria while enjoying a "beautiful piece of chocolate cake" with Chinese president Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago.
Up Next
Trump calls Assad an 'animal' as he blasts Russia
- Video duration
- 00:59
- Video duration
- 00:59
Trump calls Assad an 'animal' as he ...
Trump calls Assad an 'animal' as he blasts Russia
In an interview on FOX Business, the US President is combative on the subject of North Korea and slams Russia over its support for Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.
Shows of force as North Korea-US tensions rise
As a US Navy strike force heads toward the Korean peninsula, Donald Trump pressures China to help "solve the North Korea problem" while Pyongyang fires off a defiant warning.
US government sources said North Korea had apparently "placed a nuclear device in a tunnel" which "could be detonated" on Saturday morning, according to US-funded Voice of America.
North Korean officials gave no details as to the nature of the event on Thursday or where it would take place, and similar announcements in the past have been linked to relatively low-key set pieces.
Related Content
In 2016, for example, foreign journalists underwent hours of investigation by North Korean officials ahead of what turned out to be a pop concert to mark the finale of a ruling Workers' Party congress.
But tensions are running high, with a US Navy strike group steaming toward the western Pacific in a show of force and North Korea warning of a nuclear attack on the United States at any sign of American aggression.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a peaceful resolution to the North Korean problem in a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
In April, 2012, North Korea attempted to launch a long-range rocket ahead of the 100th Day of the Sun. State media later confirmed the launch had failed.
On Wednesday, North Korean officials told foreign journalists in Pyongyang invited to mark the national holiday that their schedule had been cancelled, and to instead meet early on Thursday to prepare for a "big and important event".
Visits by foreign journalists to North Korea are rare and tightly coordinated, and security checks at events attended by leader Kim Jong-un are especially rigorous.
North Korea often uses such visits to showcase new construction projects. In recent weeks workers have been putting the finishing touches to the skyscraper-lined "Ryomyong" street in central Pyongyang.
Kim has made frequent visits to the street to inspect construction work there, according to state media. North Korea has in the past marked its April 15 holiday with tightly choreographed military parades.
Reuters