This Article is From Jul 08, 2014

North Korea Holds Mass Memorial For Kim Il-Sung

North Korea Holds Mass Memorial For Kim Il-Sung

This file photo on April 10, 2014 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in a suit which was published on the front page of the Rodong Sinmun.

Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un presided over a mass memorial meeting in Pyongyang on Tuesday to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of his grandfather and the nation's founder, Kim Il-Sung.

The meeting, broadcast live on North Korean state TV, began as Kim walked into a vast conference hall packed with thousands of party and military officials who rose to applaud the young leader.

The leadership podium was set against a backdrop of a red flag surrounding the giant portrait of a smiling Kim II-Sung.

The main eulogy was read by North Korea's nominal head of state, Kim Yong-Nam, who hailed the elder Kim as the "greatest leader in human history" and offered a long list of his accomplishments, punctuated by lengthy and regular applause.

"Thanks to the powerful army created by the great leader Kim Il-Sung, we have successfully overcome all challenges," he said.

Kim Il-Sung led North Korea from its establishment in 1948 until his death on July 8, 1994.

He was succeeded by his son, Kim Jong-Il, who also ruled until his death in December 2011 when power was transferred to his son and current leader Kim Jong-Un.

Kim Jong-Un bears a striking physical resemblance to his grandfather, which he has underlined with his style of dress and haircut.

Like Kim Il-Sung, he does not shy away from public speeches and is regularly seen hugging and posing for photos with soldiers.

Kim Jong-il was far more aloof, and only spoke once at a major public event during his 17 years in power.
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