North Korea's Kim lauds Chinese war dead on anniversary

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits the cemetery of the martyrs of the Chinese People's Volunteers in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, North Korea in this undated photo supplied by the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via Reuters

SEOUL (AFP): North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has paid tribute to the millions of Chinese troops who fought a US-led coalition to a standstill and saved his country from defeat in the Korean War, state media reported Thursday (Oct 22).

The 1950-53 conflict was the first and so far only time Chinese and US forces have engaged in large-scale direct combat, and with tensions running high between Beijing and Washington, China is making much of the 70th anniversary of its forces entering the fight.