North Korea holds military parade on the eve of Winter Olympics in the South

North Korea has held a huge military parade and rally, just one day before the South hosts the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Kim Jong-un was shown walking on a red carpet with his wife at the beginning of the event, which North Korea’s state-run television broadcast hours after it was over.

It began with thousands of goose-stepping troops lined up in Kim Il Sung Square to form words and slogans.

In a televised speech, Kim said that the parade marks North Korea’s emergence as a “global military power” despite facing the “worst sanctions”.

He called for his military to maintain a high level of combat readiness against the United States and its “followers” so that the “invasive forces cannot infringe upon or harass the republic’s sacred dignity and autonomy even by 0.001 millimetres”.

Kim did not make any comments about the Olympics in the parts of his speech that were broadcast.

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The parade comes after US Vice President Mike Pence announced that Washington would impose the “toughest” sanctions against North Korea – and warned that “all options are on the table” when it comes to dealing with the rogue state.

He told troops in Japan: “Those who dare threaten us would do well not to underestimate the capabilities of the armed forces of the United States.

“Let the world know, from here in Yokota Air Base and beyond, we are ready for any eventuality.

“Let our adversaries know: All options are on the table and the American armed forces and self-defence forces of Japan will be ready to defend our people and our way of life.”

North Korea is sending 22 athletes to compete in the Winter Olympics, while a delegation of more than 400 musicians, singers, martial artists and members of a cheering group will also appear.