North Korea calls for stronger military
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-10 11:21

North Korea promised to pursue a stronger military as it marked a major anniversary, but made no mention of its long-running nuclear standoff with the outside world, AP reported.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il was present as the country held a large-scale convention Sunday on the eve of the 60th anniversary of its ruling Workers' Party of Korea, the North's official media reported Monday.

Kim Yong Nam, president of North Korea's parliament, said the country should "direct primary efforts to the strengthening" of the Korean People's Army, according to the North's Korean Central News Agency.

North Koreans join in a mass performance to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Worker's Party of Korea (WPK) at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang October 9, 2005. [Reuters]

North Korea has the world's fifth-largest military with a total of more than 1.1 million troops. Besides conventional and chemical weapons, it has claimed to have nuclear weapons as a "deterrent" against a U.S. attack.

Pyongyang has engaged the United States and four other regional powers in talks aimed at persuading Pyongyang to forgo its nuclear ambitions in exchange for economic and political rewards.

Last month's session of the negotiations produced a breakthrough accord in which the North pledged to abandon its nuclear programs in return for aid and security assurances. The prospect of its implementation, however, was thrown into doubt after Pyongyang demanded a nuclear reactor for power before it disarms.