North Korea held a national memorial service on Sunday to mark the 100th day since the death of leader Kim Jong-Il.

North Korea held a national memorial service on Sunday to mark the 100th day since the death of leader Kim Jong-Il.

Flags flew at half-mast nationwide, sirens and whistles sounded at noon (03:00 GMT) and citizens observed three minutes' silence "in the humblest reverence", the KCNA news agency said.

"All institutions, industrial establishments, construction sites, rural and fishery farms, schools, streets, villages and families across the country were overcome with grief," it reported.

Kim Jong-Un, Kim's son and successor as leader, attended the service along with senior party, state and military officials.

They also visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where Kim Jong-Il's body is to be put on display, to observe a moment's silence and pay respects before a smiling portrait of the former longtime leader.
TV footage showed the plaza outside the palace crowded with people and troops.

Kim Jong-Il died on December 17 of a heart attack at the age of 69. His son, aged in his late 20s, has been proclaimed as the "great successor".

Tensions with the international community have risen since the North this month announced plans for a rocket launch to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of founding president Kim Il-Sung, Kim Jong-Il's father.

Pyongyang says the launch, between April 12 and 16, will put a peaceful satellite into orbit.

The plan has been condemned by the United States, South Korea and other nations as a pretext for a long-range missile test banned by the United Nations.

The proposed launch is expected to dominate discussions on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit opening Monday in Seoul, to be attended by US, Russia, China, Turkey and many other states.