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Thousands Cheer Torch in N. Korea

Olympic flame hailed with songs and dancing for a change

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 28, 2008 5:28 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Tens of thousands of North Koreans took to the streets to herald the arrival of the Olympic torch today, marking a radically different greeting for the often-harried flame, Reuters reports. People waved North Korean and Chinese flags, danced, cheered, and sang military songs. The welcome contrasted sharply with waves of protests at other global relays that have driven the torch inside vehicles and behind walls of security guards.

But torch trouble is far from over. In Cape Town yesterday, Archbishop Desmond Tutu called on world leaders to skip the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony to protest China's record in Tibet. He urged leaders to boycott until it's "quite clear" that the Chinese "will stop the violence against the Tibetans." The torch next stops in Vietnam.

North Korea's first torch runner, Pak Du Ik, sets out for a relay through the streets of Pyongyang at a ceremony held at the capital's Tower of the Juche Idea on April 28, 2008.
North Korea's first torch runner, Pak Du Ik, sets out for a relay through the streets of Pyongyang at a ceremony held at the capital's Tower of the Juche Idea on April 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
Well-wishers wave flags as the Olympic torch arrives at an airport in Pyongyang, North Korea early Monday, April 28, 2008.
Well-wishers wave flags as the Olympic torch arrives at an airport in Pyongyang, North Korea early Monday, April 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
A cheering crowd line ups to watch the Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, April 28, 2008.
A cheering crowd line ups to watch the Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, April 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
A flag-waving crowd is gathered during a ceremony for the Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, April 28, 2008.
A flag-waving crowd is gathered during a ceremony for the Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, April 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
North Korea's first torch runner, Pak Du Ik, waves the Olympic torch during a ceremony before he sets out for a relay through the streets of Pyongyang, North Korea, on Monday, April 28, 2008.
North Korea's first torch runner, Pak Du Ik, waves the Olympic torch during a ceremony before he sets out for a relay through the streets of Pyongyang, North Korea, on Monday, April 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
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North Korea • 2008 Beijing Olympics • Pyongyang • Tibet • Olympic torch • torch relay

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