North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends a mass indoor rally to mark the 80th anniversary of one of the world's largest standing armies.<br/> <br />Top ranking North Korean officials were also on the stage, seated in front of portraits of former leaders Kim Jong-il and Kim Il-sung.<br/> <br />The Chief of the North Korean army vowed to defend the nation from any aggression.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) CHIEF OF NORTH KOREAN ARMY RI YONG-HO:<br/> <br />"We will never forgive any invasion of our sacred air, land or sea by enemies and we will make an historical achievement by unifying our fatherland."<br/> <br />A day earlier North Korean state television KRT broadcast military training footage showing soldiers destroying an effigy named after the South Korean president Lee Myung-bak.<br/> <br />The network also showed a rally against Lee by workers of a textile factory in Pyongyang.<br/> <br />South of the border in Seoul, a group of protesters were denouncing the North for what they call their threatening behaviour.<br/> <br />Around 30 elderly demonstrators gathered in front of South Korea's defence ministry to condemn their northern neighbours.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREAN PROTESTER, BONG TAE-HONG:<br/> <br />"North Korea is continuing to make cheap threats and intimidation using unspeakable words. We're gathered in front of the defence ministry to call on the ministry to make a pinpoint strike against Kim Jong-un's office if the North provokes. We want to take this as an opportunity to destroy the North's dictatorial regime."<br/> <br />Pyongyang received international condemnation for going ahead with a failed rocket launch earlier this month.<br/> <br />Washington, Seoul and Tokyo are concerned that North Korea may now be preparing a nuclear test using highly enriched uranium for the first time.<br/> <br />Simon Hanna, Reuters.<br/> <br />-
