The Olympic torch was paraded through the streets of Pyongyang to flag-waving masses on Monday with North Korea promising its main benefactor China an "astonishing" show certain to be free of protest.
The torch began its two-day journey on the divided Korean peninsula on Sunday where a frenetic and at times violent pro-Beijing rally in the South Korean capital by thousands of flag-waving Chinese students left many Seoul residents angry.
The global torch relay ahead of the Beijing Games in August has prompted protests against China's rights record in Tibet as well as patriotic rallies by Chinese who criticise the West for vilifying Beijing.
China has blamed the Dalai Lama for stirring up the unrest and accused him and his government in exile in India of trying to spoil the Games in August, charges the Tibetan spiritual leader denies.
In Stalinist North Korea, the relay proceeded trouble-free. Tens of thousands lined Pyongyang's streets, waved North Korean and Chinese flags and enthusiastically cheered the torch, which is making its first journey to the hermit kingdom, the South's Yonhap news agency said, citing news reports.
North Korea, which the United States and others say has one of world's the worst human rights records, does not allow rallies that anger Pyongyang's leaders. Rights groups said the North imprisons or executes anyone who steps out of line.
A LIGHT IN THE HERMIT KINGDOM
The isolated North, which rarely holds international events, has told China it is proud to host the relay.
