North Korea in commemorative mood ahead of 10th anniversary of ex-leader's passing

This file photo taken on June 18, 2019, shows commuters riding a bus past portraits of late North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, on Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang. AFP-Yonhap

North Korea is holding a series of events memorializing late leader Kim Jong-il ahead of the 10th anniversary of his passing this week, Pyongyang's state media said Thursday.

Kim, the father of current leader Kim Jong-un, died on Dec. 17, 2011, after having ruled the reclusive regime since the death of his father and national founder, Kim Il-sung, in 1994.

In Pyongyang, young workers and students held a meeting to remember the late leader, and an art exhibition opened with works depicting his life, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency.

In an editorial, the North's main newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, said the past decade has been a "history of learning and following Kim Jong-il's faith, determination and courage for a revolution."

The state media also said international organizations sent flower baskets to mark the anniversary.

Eyes are on whether North Korea will hold a massive public event for the upcoming anniversary, as Pyongyang usually marks every fifth and 10th anniversary with larger events.

The North held a large-scale gathering in Pyongyang to commemorate Kim Jong-il's death on the first, second, third and fifth anniversaries.

Last year, Kim paid tribute at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the body of the late leader lies in state, to mark the ninth anniversary of his death. (Yonhap)

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