eFM News

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watched a mass gymnastics performance held to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party, despite his country's antivirus campaign.

The North's state-run media reported on Monday that Kim attended the grand mass games and artistic performance entitled "Great Guidance" at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang on Sunday.

Photos released showed the regime leader and other participants without masks.

The North has held a string of events this month that observers say appear intended to strengthen internal unity amid various challenges, including the global spread of COVID-19, devastation caused by recent typhoons and economic woes from international sanctions.

Kim also held a photo session with those who took part in Saturday's military parade held at the Kim Il-sung Square.

According to the Korea Central News Agency, during the session, the regime leader expressed the "expectation and belief that the stalwart and reliable officers and men of our revolutionary armed forces would remain boundlessly true to the country."

Officials who attended that event include Ri Pyong-chol, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, and Pak Jong-chon, chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army.