Peaceful crowd watches first-ever torch run through North Korea
North Korea mobilized tens of thousands of citizens on Monday to celebrate the Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang, the flame’s first visit to the authoritarian nation. Men in their best suits and women wearing traditional high-waisted dresses waved flags and paper flowers in the capital, greeting the torch like a visiting head of state.
China is North Korea’s main ally and a key provider of aid, and the torch relay was used to harden their ties. North Korea has condemned disruptions of the torch relay elsewhere, and supported Beijing in its crackdown on violent protests in Tibet.
An attentive and peaceful crowd watched the start of the relay, some waving Chinese and Olympic flags.
The Olympic flame arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, late Monday for the final international leg of the relay before the torch goes to China.