By Helen Lawson PUBLISHED: 07:51 EST, 14 April 2013 | UPDATED: 01:57 EST, 15 April 2013 Having threatened to bomb the United States and warned foreigners to leave South Korea due to an impending thermonuclear war, North Korea returned to domestic matters today by holding its annual marathon in Pyongyang. The North’s state news agency said a big contingent of foreign runners were expected from countries including Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Ethiopia as well as 600 North Koreans at today's race. The marathon celebrates tomorrow's 101st anniversary of the birthday of the country’s founder Kim Il Sung, grandfather of the current leader Kim Jong Un.
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The 26th Mangyongdae Prize race marks the birthday of Kim Il Sung
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Tomorrow is the 101st anniversary of the country's founder's birth
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About 600 North Koreans were expected to race alongside foreign runners
The officials agreed on the need to work toward a nuclear-free @placeholder and opened the door to direct talks if certain conditions are met.