North Korea marks anniversary of war 'victory' with huge parade

North Korea has marked the 60th anniversary of the truce that ended the Korean War with a massive celebration in the capital Pyongyang.

State TV showed goose-stepping soldiers, columns of tanks and a broad array of ominous-looking missiles poised on mobile launchers paraded through Pyongyang's main square today in a choreographed military pageant to rally its people behind young ruler Kim Jong Un.

Troops and spectators shouted their allegiance to Kim, who overlooked a sea of spectators mobilised in Kim Il Sung Square.

As fighter jets flew overhead, the North Korean leader is believed to have talked with China's vice president.

China fought with North Korea during the war and is Pyongyang's only major ally and a crucial source of economic aid.

Saturday's parade was held to mark a holiday the North Koreans call "Victory Day in the Fatherland Liberation War," although the 1950-53 Korean War that refers to ended in a truce and the Korean Peninsula remains technically at war.

To commemorate the anniversary, North Korea over the past week has also staged huge mass rallies in its capital and put on elaborate fireworks shows.