Pyongyang citizens wail on snowy streets of capital over death of Kim Jong-il


North Korea held a mass funeral for late leader Kim Jong-il on Wednesday, with his third son and successor Kim Jong-un escorting his father’s hearse through snowy Pyongyang.

The North’s state-run Korean Central TV aired the funeral at 2 p.m., saying that it was broadcast live. South Korean media speculated that the footage might have been recorded and edited in advance.

The funeral ceremony began at the outdoor square of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace where thousands of North Korean soldiers and officials bowed deeply at the departure of the late Kim’s hearse, led by Kim Jong-un who was clad in black and crying.

Top members of North Korea’s leadership were holding on to and walking by the hearse with Kim Jong-un.

Behind the young Kim walked Jang Song-thaek, the brother-in-law of the deceased Kim, and Kim Ki-nam, secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. The left side of the hearse was flanked by top military officer Ri Yong-ho and Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Kim Yong-chun.

The 69-year-old reclusive despot, who had long drawn international attention for his nuclear ambitions, died of a heart attack on a train ride on Dec. 17, according to North Korea’s state media.

“The hearse, which departed the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, and the following funeral convoy are now heading to Yeongwoong (Hero) Street in the downtown of Pyongyang,” an unidentified female anchor said during the TV broadcast.

“The snow is falling down endlessly … With our leader’s departure, the heaven is crying, too,” she said emotionally. The female anchor’s voice was mixed with the cries of Pyongyang citizens.

The North’s TV footage also showed Pyongyang citizens lined up along the streets crying and wailing as Kim’s funeral convoy, led by a limousine carrying his massive portrait, passed by. The funeral convoy passed Kim Il-sung Square before going back to the Kumsusan palace.

The funeral recalled the 1994 funeral of Kim Il-sung, the father of Kim Jong-il and founder of North Korea. The proceedings included the same departure of Kim’s coffin from the palace, the funeral procession’s drive through the same streets of Pyongyang and Kim’s body going back to the palace to be laid to rest.

Earlier in the day, the North’s TV showed undated scenes of North Korean officials mourning in front of Kim’s body at the palace. Next to the glass coffin, a woman believed to be Kim Jong-un’s younger sister Kim Yo-jong was seen standing behind Jong-un. It also aired file clips of Kim Jong-il, praising his leadership.

At the palace, Kim’s body will be embalmed and kept indefinitely, just like that of Kim Il-sung.

Kim Jong-il’s death came as the North was accelerating efforts to transfer power to his third son Jong-un. The succession process gained speed after Kim apparently suffered a stroke in the summer of 2008.

Tuesday’s funeral will be followed by a national memorial service on Dec. 29 which more than 100,000 Pyongyang citizens are expected to attend, the official Korean Central News Agency has said.

During the memorial service, there will be a nationwide three minute silence, with volleys of gunfire in Pyongyang and in provincial seats.

By Kim Yoon-mi (yoonmi@heraldcorp.com)