North Korea celebrates Kim Jong-il's 70th birthday - in pictures

Senior North Korean officials including new leader Kim Jong-un watch the parade of thousands of soldiers as North Korea commemorated the 70th birthday of Kim Jong-il, shown in a giant portrait in the background, in Pyongyang, North Korea Photograph: AP New North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walks past senior military officers as he leaves the stands at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang after reviewing a parade of thousands of soldiers Photograph: David Guttenfelder/AP North Korean soldiers salute as civilians bow beneath a large portrait of the country's late leader Kim Jong-il to commemorate his death and what would have been his 70th birthday Photograph: David Guttenfelder/AP North Koreans lay flowers at Kim-Il Sung Square beneath a large portrait of the late leader Kim Jong-il Photograph: David Guttenfelder/AP North Korean women soldiers chant at the ceremony Photograph: David Guttenfelder/AP Fireworks explode over North Korean soldiers lined up in formation at Kumsusan Memorial Palace Photograph: David Guttenfelder/AP North Korean soldiers at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang during the parade Photograph: David Guttenfelder/AP A North Korean soldier smiles from the back of an army vehicle during the parade Photograph: David Guttenfelder/AP North Koreans applaud as a large screen shows a portrait of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, during a concert Photograph: David Guttenfelder/AP North Korean leader Kim Jong-un applauds after the parade commemorating his father's birthday Photograph: David Guttenfelder/AP