(LEAD) N. Korea rallies loyalty with celebratory events ahead of party founding anniversary

North Korea is intensifying efforts to bolster public loyalty and celebrate the 81st founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). Various festivities are underway, with the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea hosting a celebration on Wednesday. During a debate session, participants emphasized the importance of strong party leadership, increased ideological education, and meeting grain production targets.

Art events have also been held, including a performance by the Youth Central Art Propaganda Team, and the opening ceremony of the National Art Exhibition at the Korean Central Art Gallery.

The Rodong Sinmun newspaper has been running a front-page article urging readers to uphold the party's history, ideology, and founding spirit. Additionally, numerous visitors have been flocking to the Party Founding Museum in the capital city as the anniversary approaches. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that flower baskets from foreign leaders, including the presidents of Laos and Palestine, as well as military attaches, have started arriving. These gifts were presented to North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un.

South Korea's unification ministry spokesperson stated that they anticipate no grand-scale event for this year's milestone anniversary, as it falls between the traditional years ending in zero or five. North Korea typically marks such anniversaries with large-scale military parades, mass gymnastics displays, and weapons exhibitions.

Last year, a massive late-night military parade took place at Kim Il Sung Square, showcasing the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, which is believed to carry multiple nuclear warheads and potentially reach the U.S. mainland.