North Korea marks the 66th anniversary of the Korean Children's Union with a massive ceremony.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended the event at a stadium in Pyongyang, along with some 20,000 children, clad in the Union's uniform red scarves.
Emotions were high among the boys and girls.
It is the largest-ever celebration of the Children's Union, and comes as Kim is cementing his grip on power following the death of his father Kim Jong-il last year.
On Monday, North Korea threatened to strike South Korea's media outlets for criticising Kim Jong-un, after some in the South called the children's union celebration a propaganda effort to bolster support for the new leader.
North Korea's new leader Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed his father's "military first" policies that have stunted economic growth, dashing slim hopes of an opening to the outside world.
Sarah Sheffer, Reuters
