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North Korea holds two-day state funeral for Kim Jong-il North Korea holds two-day state funeral for Kim Jong-il
(40 minutes later)
North Korea has begun two days of funeral services for late leader Kim Jong-il with a huge procession in the capital, Pyongyang.North Korea has begun two days of funeral services for late leader Kim Jong-il with a huge procession in the capital, Pyongyang.
Footage showed tens of thousands of soldiers with their heads bowed as a giant portrait of Mr Kim was carried slowly through the streets.Footage showed tens of thousands of soldiers with their heads bowed as a giant portrait of Mr Kim was carried slowly through the streets.
His successor and third son, Kim Jong-un, walked beside the hearse, images from state television showed.His successor and third son, Kim Jong-un, walked beside the hearse, images from state television showed.
Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack on 17 December, aged 69, state media said.Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack on 17 December, aged 69, state media said.
He has been lying in state since then.He has been lying in state since then.
New line-upNew line-up
No schedule was released ahead of the commemorations and no foreign delegations are attending.No schedule was released ahead of the commemorations and no foreign delegations are attending.
But observers expected the ceremonies to echo the displays of pomp and military might that marked the death of Mr Kim's father, Kim Il-sung, in 1994. But observers said the ceremonies echoed the displays of pomp and military might that marked the death of Mr Kim's father, Kim Il-sung, in 1994.
This ceremony is an important event for North Korea to cement the authority of its next leader - a man not yet 30 and with little experience of government. The elaborate choreography, the parade, and the grossly emotional crowd scenes had a clear political purpose. They were intended to unite the country in grief and so make the handover of power more secure.
But it is also a rare opportunity for those outside the country to glimpse the internal power structure of the Communist state. But they also emphasise that this is a dynasty, that the new leader, Kim Jong-un, is just the latest member of the family firm established by his grandfather.
Many of the country's key positions are still held by a coterie of men and women around its former leader - senior military and party officials who may well now be jostling for influence in the new regime. That is important, as the North Korean system is currently at its weakest. Kim Jong-un, still under 30, has had no experience whatsoever and was announced as successor only last year. If there is any opposition to him from within the military hierarchy, then his strongest card is who he is, not what he has done.
And some say North Korea's reluctance to open up the funeral ceremony to foreign delegations may signal that those hierarchies have not yet been fully agreed. But here in South Korea, the anxiety is that a weak North Korean leadership will be tempted to strengthen itself by some military adventure against the south.
Kim Jong-un - who is thought to be in his late 20s and who has little political experience - was shown weeping beside the hearse as it drove through the snowy capital.Kim Jong-un - who is thought to be in his late 20s and who has little political experience - was shown weeping beside the hearse as it drove through the snowy capital.
He was accompanied by his uncle, Chang Song-taek, who is expected to be a key player as the younger Kim consolidates power.He was accompanied by his uncle, Chang Song-taek, who is expected to be a key player as the younger Kim consolidates power.
Ri Yong-ho, the army chief, also accompanied the hearse as it drove past ranks of troops. Footage also showed crowds of weeping mourners.Ri Yong-ho, the army chief, also accompanied the hearse as it drove past ranks of troops. Footage also showed crowds of weeping mourners.
Foreign diplomats were told to gather at a stadium to be taken to the Kumsusan Memorial Palace - where Mr Kim has been lying in state - to see the hearse pass by.Foreign diplomats were told to gather at a stadium to be taken to the Kumsusan Memorial Palace - where Mr Kim has been lying in state - to see the hearse pass by.
Observers will be keenly watching the line-up over the two-day funeral to see which officials are in prominent positions.Observers will be keenly watching the line-up over the two-day funeral to see which officials are in prominent positions.
Kim Jong-il was in the process of formalising Kim Jong-un as his successor when he died but the transition was not complete, leaving regional neighbours fearful of a power struggle in the nuclear-armed pariah state. Jostling for influence?
Kim Jong-il - known in North Korea as the Dear Leader - was in the process of formalising Kim Jong-un as his successor when he died but the transition was not complete, leaving regional neighbours fearful of a power struggle in the nuclear-armed pariah state.
The BBC's Lucy Williamson, in the South Korean capital Seoul, says senior military and party officials may well now be jostling for influence in the new regime.
North Korea's reluctance to open up the funeral ceremony to foreign delegations may signal that those hierarchies have not yet been fully agreed, she adds.
In the week since Mr Kim died, state media has called Kim Jong-un the "Great Successor" and referred to him as the leader of the military and the party.In the week since Mr Kim died, state media has called Kim Jong-un the "Great Successor" and referred to him as the leader of the military and the party.
Commemorations are expected to continue on Thursday, with a three-minute silence at noon local time (03:00 GMT), followed by trains and ships sounding horns. The national memorial service will then begin.Commemorations are expected to continue on Thursday, with a three-minute silence at noon local time (03:00 GMT), followed by trains and ships sounding horns. The national memorial service will then begin.
The inter-Korean Kaesong industrial park has been closed for two days for the mourning following a North Korean request, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reports.The inter-Korean Kaesong industrial park has been closed for two days for the mourning following a North Korean request, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reports.
Are you marking the funeral of Kim Jong-il? You can share your thoughts on his passing and your expectations for Kim Jong-un by filling in the form below.Are you marking the funeral of Kim Jong-il? You can share your thoughts on his passing and your expectations for Kim Jong-un by filling in the form below.