North Korea marked the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on Wednesday, calling for solidarity.

Although no major events, such as a military parade, were seen, party flags and placards were placed along major streets of Pyongyang in celebration of the anniversary.

Many citizens and military personnel visited Mansu Hill in the city's center, as they do every year, to lay flowers in front of giant bronze statues of state founder Kim Il Sung and his son Kim Jong Il, the second leader of North Korea.

Young people also gathered at squares across the capital of North Korea to dance and otherwise celebrate the anniversary.

North Korea's leading newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, said in an editorial on Wednesday that the Workers' Party of Korea "has always emerged victorious in carving out the path ahead of the country and the revolution under the unfurled banner of single-minded unity."

The ruling party, which held its first congress in 36 years in May 2016, has been aiming to strengthen its function in recent years.

While it is unknown whether officials are visiting Pyongyang from abroad on the occasion of the anniversary, North Korea has been stepping up diplomatic efforts ahead of a potential second summit between leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump.

On Monday, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, who handles nuclear weapons issues and negotiations with the United States, met with her Chinese and Russian counterparts in Moscow.

Speculation has been also growing that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea and Kim will make a trip to Russia in the near future.

==Kyodo