Kim Jong-il: A Lavish North Korean Funeral Beneath a Leaden Sky
The great leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, received a copious memorial service under a gloomy sky on Dec. 28 during the time his administration combined traditional-style militarism together with a noble procession in honor of its ruler.
This charity organized grief ceremony for Kim had been followed by notable mystic events according to the state media of North Korea.
Earthquakes allegedly rocked the holy Mount Paeku, assumed to have been the leader's birthplace. Crying owls flew into Kim family's crypt at the center of Pyongyang. For the time being, inexplicable flashes of light were witnessed in the sky at the top of the communist state.
North Korea's capital of attraction was appropriately covered with snow as the natural world's evident grief over Kim Jong-il's commemoration continues.
Foreign delegations were not asked to join the funeral. It was the loyal state media that was given the opportunity to get footage of the event.
The footage showed groups of soldiers, standing still prior to the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, where the dear leader's body lies, and where his sone, Kim Jong-il, lies in state.
A black limousine bringing a huge image of the late ruler moving gradually with the parade entered the stage from the right. At the back came a hearse carrying Kim Jong-il's coffin rested on a bed of flowers. Marching next to it was Kim Jong-un, the ruler's son and successor, ushered by an officer with drawn sword followed by seniors from the government.
Troops then bowed their heads. Part of the footage was focused on assembled young female soldiers, tossing their heads and weeping. This alleged moment of impulsiveness may have been cautiously planned and scripted.
The limousine then moved slowly on a 25-mile procession towards the capital while being escorted by lines of green military vehicles with soldiers standing behind windscreens. Hundreds of troops were assembled in front of thousands of grievers.
"Our comrade, who established the most independent nation, did everything he could do in the world, both great and tiny works, for the glory of the country and the happiness of the people. Our people and army are beating their breasts," said the administrative critic, obviously strangled with sorrow.