The rally in Pyongyang鈥檚 giant Kim Il-Sung square was attended by soldiers, veterans, workers and students, all wearing military uniforms. The North鈥檚 young leader, Kim Jong-Un, was not present.
State television said the rally took place to support a decision issued by the Korean People鈥檚 Army (KPA) supreme command on Tuesday 鈥� and ratified by Kim on Friday 鈥� to put the country鈥檚 strategic rocket units on a war footing.
鈥淭he statement was the ultimatum of the Korean People鈥檚 Army against the US imperialists,鈥� an announcer said at the start of the rally.
Under giant portraits of Kim鈥檚 father Kim Jong-Il and grandfather Kim Il-Sung, the massed ranks of civilians and soldiers pledged their allegiance to the current leadership.
鈥淟et鈥檚 become guns and bombs for our respected leader Kim Jong-Un!,鈥� they chanted, pumping their fists in unison.
The rally was addressed by military and party officials who urged North Korean troops to launch a 鈥渕erciless strike鈥� on the US mainland and US military bases in the Pacific and South Korea.
鈥淲e are all ready to wipe them out for our final victory,鈥� army officer Kwon Yong-Chol said.