North Korea stages wild pop concert to celebrate launch of first intercontinental ballistic missile

Moranbong Band headline Pyongyang gig attended by leader Kim Jong-un, performing such hits as 'Song of Hwasong Rocket' and 'Make Others Envy Us'

Kim Jong-un waves to the audience in Pyongyang (KRT/AP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was feted at a concert replete with pop music and thunderous applause marking the successful launch of his country's first intercontinental ballistic missile.

Leading the bill at the concert was the Moranbong Band, an all-female ensemble that was hand-picked by Kim and serves as something of the “soft” face of his regime.

Among the numbers performed were “Song of Hwasong Rocket” and “Make Others Envy Us,” the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported.

Pyongyang has been the scene of a slew of special events to mark the 4 July launch of Hwasong-14, which is believed to be capable of reaching most of Alaska and possibly farther.

The concert, which took place on Sunday before a packed crowd, many in uniform, also featured dancing.

Clips of the concert shown on North Korean television on Monday showed the crowd repeatedly cheering and applauding for Kim.

Along with the Moranbong Band, the concert had North Korea's other top headliners — a similar pop ensemble called the Chongbong Band, the uniformed State Merited Chorus and the Wangjaesan Art Troupe.

Associated Press