PANMUNJOM, Korea (AP) — Ceremonies commemorating the Korean War armistice are under special scrutiny this year because of North Korea's military reshuffling and its young leader's newly-introduced wife. Observances Friday in both North and South Korea follow Kim Jong Un's surprise dismissal of his military chief and his revelation that the mystery woman at his side in public appearances this month is his wife. The military moves are seen as an effort to build loyalty among the million-man armed forces and solidify his credentials as commander. North Korean media said veterans have traveled to Pyongyang to commemorate the armistice's 59th anniversary. U.S. and South Korean officials commemorated the armistice that ended the 1950-1953 war at the border village of Panmunjom. The Korean Peninsula remains technically in a state of war.
North and South Korea mark war armistice
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ADDS DATE - In this Wednesday, July 25, 2012 photo released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and distributed in Tokyo by the Korea News Service Thursday, July 26, 2012, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju, right, waves to the crowd as they inspect the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground in Pyongyang. (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service) JAPAN OUT UNTIL 14 DAYS AFTER THE DAY OF TRANSMISSION
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In this undated photo released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and distributed in Tokyo by the Korea News Service Thursday, July 26, 2012, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, front left, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju, front right, inspects the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground in Pyongyang. North Korea said its new, young leader Kim Jong Un is married, announcing it for the first time in a brief and routine state TV report Wednesday evening that ends weeks of speculation about a beautiful woman who accompanied him to recent public events. (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service) JAPAN OUT UNTIL 14 DAYS AFTER THE DAY OF TRANSMISSION
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In this image released by by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and distributed in Tokyo by the Korea News Service on Wednesday July 25, 2012 North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, centre, Ri Sol Ju, centre left. visit the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground, which is nearing completion, in this undated picture North Korea's new, young leader Kim Jong Un is married, state TV reported Wednesday for the first time in a brief and otherwise routine announcement that ends weeks of speculation about a beautiful woman who has accompanied him to recent public events. Kim toured an amusement park with his "wife, comrade Ri Sol Ju" on Tuesday, while a crowd cheered for the leader, the news anchor said without giving any more details about Ri, including how long they had been married. (AP Photo/KCNA KNS) JAPAN OUT UNTIL 14 DAYS AFTER THE DAY OF TRANSMISSION
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North Korean media on Wednesday July 25, 2012, identified the woman seen accompanying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, front right, in a recent series of public appearances as his wife, named in news reports as comrade Ri Sol-ju, front left. Kim and his wife are seen Tuesday July 24, 2012, together attending a ceremony to mark the completion of an amusement park facility built on Rungna islet in Pyongyang, North Korea. The North Korea TV anchor woman said Kim toured an amusement park with his "wife, comrade Ri Sol Ju" on Tuesday, while a crowd cheered for the leader, reported the newsreader, but did not give any more details about Ri, including how long they had been married. (AP Photo / KRT TV) TV OUT
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In this undated photo released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and distributed in Tokyo by the Korea News Service Thursday, July 26, 2012, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, reacts on a ride as he attends the completion ceremony of the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground in Pyongyang. (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service) JAPAN OUT UNTIL 14 DAYS AFTER THE DAY OF TRANSMISSION
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ADDS DATE - In this Wednesday, July 25, 2012 photo released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and distributed in Tokyo by the Korea News Service Thursday, July 26, 2012, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju, left, touches a display as they inspect the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground in Pyongyang. (AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service) JAPAN OUT UNTIL 14 DAYS AFTER THE DAY OF TRANSMISSION
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