North Korea parade jeered by Chinese commenters

SEOUL, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- North Korea's colossal military parade invited ridicule from Chinese commenters, and Seoul has officially criticized Pyongyang's blatant display of a "negative image."

The parade, held Saturday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party, was attended by top Chinese official Liu Yunshan, who at one point held hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a show of solidarity.

But Beijing's official gesture of friendship to its isolated neighbor held little sway with Chinese netizens who likened the parade to a "circus." They also belittled North Korean female soldiers, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

One commenter who identified himself as a history professor at Harbin Normal University said North Korea's highest calling is to hold military parades, followed by "standing guard near the demilitarized zone."

"Their next priorities are robbing Chinese fishermen at sea, and killing [Chinese] farmers at the border," the commenter said.

Chinese state media reacted promptly on Monday, and the Global Times published an article that warned Chinese citizens against mocking North Korea.

"When compared to South Korea, the United States and Japan, the countries most hostile toward North Korea, [derogatory Chinese comments] are even more of an eyesore," the article read, adding North Korea has faced greater difficulties than China due to international sanctions.

North Korea's blatant show of military might and Kim's vow to fight any war waged by the United States, however, was criticized in Seoul on Monday. Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee said Pyongyang could place more effort toward rehabilitating its image, rather than "promoting internal cohesion," South Korean outlet Newsis reported.

Jeong said Monday it was unclear when Pyongyang would launch a rocket but added a cover has been installed over the launch pad so any movement below would be more difficult to detect. South Korean defense ministry deputy spokesman Na Seung-yong said in a separate statement North Korea has not yet mastered the ability to equip its KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile with miniaturized nuclear warheads.

On Oct. 7, U.S. Adm. Bill Gortney had said North Korea has the capacity to miniaturize nuclear warheads and send long-range ballistic missiles to the United States.