A picture made available on 28 April 2016 shows a woman cleaning the frame of a large mosaic representing former leaders Kim Il-sung (L) and Kim Jong-il at the Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang, North Korea, 13 April 2016. File Photo by FRANCK ROBICHON/ EPA
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun early Wednesday to mark the 14th anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s state media reported.
The Korean Central News Agency said Kim visited the palace around midnight and entered the “Hall of Eternal Life” with accompanying officials to pay respects to Kim Jong Il.
KCNA said the tribute was attended by Prime Minister Pak To-song, Supreme People’s Assembly Standing Committee Chairman Choe Ryong-hae, Workers’ Party Secretary Cho Yong-won and other senior party, government and military officials, including members of the party Politburo Standing Committee.
The agency said Kim laid flowers before statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and paid tribute.
KCNA also said participants pledged loyalty to Kim Jong Un’s leadership and to carrying forward what it described as Kim Jong Il’s achievements.
Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party, carried a front-page editorial calling on officials and citizens to pursue “self-reliance” and to deliver “glorious achievements” ahead of the party’s upcoming 9th congress, according to the report.
Kim Jong Il died on Dec. 17, 2011. Kim Jong Un has paid respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun around the anniversary each year except 2022, the report said.
– Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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