Foreign journalists in North Korea told to expect a ‘big and important event’

by Nikita Vladimirov - 04/12/17 5:52 PM ET

Foreign journalists in North Korea have reportedly been told to prepare for a “big and important event” on Thursday.

North Korean officials provided no details about the nature of the event or its location, according to a report by Reuters.

200 foreign journalists are in Pyongyang ahead of the nation’s biggest national holiday, the “Day of the Sun.”

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This year’s holiday, which is celebrated annually on April 15, will mark the 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the deceased founding leader of North Korea and the grandfather of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

North Korean officials have previously made similar declarations to the foreign press that have ended up being largely unsubstantiated, according to the report.

Some speculate, however, that North Korea will seek to showcase its military arsenal in light of the ongoing standoff with the U.S. over its nuclear program.

North Korean state media issued a warning to the U.S. Tuesday, stating that the country will utilize its nuclear capabilities at any sign of U.S. aggression.

The warning followed President Trump’s decision to send a U.S. Navy strike group, including an aircraft carrier, towards the Korean peninsula.

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