North Korea Marks 61st Anniversary

North Korea marked its 61st anniversary today with a vow to "mobilize all military strengths and mercilessly annihilate the aggressors" if they attack, according to the Rodong Sinmun, the country's main newspaper in Pyongyang.

The anniversary of the regime's founding is one of the most significant holidays, along with the birthdays of the leader Kim Jong Il, and his father, late founder Kim Il Sung.

The paper also praised Kim's "military first" policy of forming a 1.2 million-member army, making it one of the world's largest.

To demonstrate the patriotic spirit, North Korean state TV played patriotic songs which were dedicated to Premier Kim Jong Il. The footage appeared to be taken from past anniversary celebrations, showing citizens lining the streets and gathering at public plazas for celebrations.

The celebration took place as international pressure on the communist country to abandon its nuclear program continued to grow. Earlier this year, North Korea was condemned heavily by many nations for conducting nuclear test, launching a rocket and test-firing a barrage of missiles.  Recently, North Korea has reached out to Washington and Seoul by releasing detained Americans and South Koreans, and reportedly inviting U.S. officials to Pyongyang for discussions.

Although this year's celebration was not as grand as the 60th anniversary one, but many North Koreans still streamed to Mansu Hill, Pyongyang to lay flowers and bow before a  towering statue of Kim Il Sung.