North Korea marked on Sunday the first anniversary of late ruler Kim Jong-Il’s death, with the new leader Kim Jong-Un led thousands of officials in the memorial ceremony.

North Korea marked on Sunday the first anniversary of late ruler Kim Jong-Il’s death, with the new leader Kim Jong-Un led thousands of officials in the memorial ceremony.

The ceremony followed a mass rally two days earlier hailing the launch of the three-stage rocket, a move which was condemned by the UN Security Council.

Kim Jong-Il, who ruled the communist state for 17 years, died of a heart attack on December 17 last year.
His youngest son Jong-Un immediately took over, the second dynastic succession by the Kim dynasty which has ruled the communist country for more than six decades.

Officials in black suits and uniformed military leaders convened in a cavernous stadium in the capital Pyongyang Sunday morning for the hour-long memorial event, which was televised live on state TV.

Jong-Un, stone-faced and clad in a black Mao suit, sat on stage with dozens of other top officials against the backdrop of a giant red flag featuring a large portrait of a smiling Kim Jong-Il.

"The heart of the great leader stopped beating but Comrade Kim Jong-Il lives with us forever... to give blessings for the bright future of our people," the ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-Nam said in a speech.

"The successful launch of our Kwangmyongsong-2 satellite is also another victory achieved by our military and people, by faithfully following the teachings of the great leader (Kim Jong-Il)," he said.
It was unclear what memorial events were scheduled on Monday, the anniversary day.