SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lauded what he called his country’s fight against a U.S.-led military threat and vowed to turn North Korea into “the best socialist paradise in the world,” as he addressed state anniversary celebrations in the presence of Chinese, Russian and other foreign dignitaries.

Kim’s speech on the eve of Friday’s 80th founding anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party comes as he’s trying to bolster an anti-West partnership with other countries, even as he signaled interest in resuming diplomacy with the U.S.

The pinnacle of the North Korean anniversary events would be a military parade expected later Friday at a Pyongyang plaza, where Kim will likely stand alongside Chinese, Russian and other leaders to watch the display of some of his new

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