On Monday, August 21, South Korea and the United States began an annual joint military exercise at a time when tension in the region was high following North Korea's recent tests of intercontential ballistic missiles.

The 10-day Ulchi-Freedom Guardian drills are seen by Pyongyang as a reheasal for the invasion of North Korea.

But despite that, people went about their business as usual in the capital.

A vehicle broadcasting anti-U.S. messages through loudspeakers was seen driving outside Pyongyang Station.



This signboard in Pyongyang claimed that the United States is within range of North Korean missiles.

Also outside the capital's main station, women played drums to celebrate people heading to work.

These women, also celebrating people going to work, were waving red flags beside a signboard reading "invincible nuclear power." 

Children were seen walking through Kim Il Sung Square in the city.

The renewed security worries on the Korean Peninsula seemed to have had little effect on the spirits of Pyongyang's schoolchildren.

Commuters on the Pyongyang Metro subway system went about their daily routine as normal.

These commuters were seen going about their daily lives beneath a huge mural of late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in a Pyongyang subway station.

These newly launched postcards carrying anti-U.S. messages were seen on Aug. 20.


More popular galleries:

GALLERY: Chinese tourists flock to North Korean border

GALLERY: Views of Pyongyang

GALLERY: North Korea marks 85th anniversary of founding of armed forces