North Korea commemorates second anniversary of late leader's death
- 10 years ago
Remembering their "Dear Leader".
North Korea on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death.
Its political and military elite held a massive memorial in the capital Pyongyang, where they pledged their loyalty to his son and successor, Kim Jong Un.
DIRECTOR OF THE GENERAL POLITICAL BUREAU OF THE KOREAN PEOPLE'S ARMY, CHOE RYONG HAE, SAYING:
"As we recall the revolutionary life and indelible achievements of our Generalissimo Kim Jong Il, we are strengthening our will and belief to honor the Great General Kim Jong Un's ideas and military power by obeying his 'military-first' revolutionary policy."
In Seoul, South Korea, 10 defectors from the North held a very different kind of ceremony.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) NORTH KOREAN DEFECTOR HAN CHANG KWEON SAYING:
"I heard North Korea is holding a memorial event, but we're here to celebrate his death."
And later in the day, some 150 South Koreans marked the anniversary by protesting the
North Korea on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death.
Its political and military elite held a massive memorial in the capital Pyongyang, where they pledged their loyalty to his son and successor, Kim Jong Un.
DIRECTOR OF THE GENERAL POLITICAL BUREAU OF THE KOREAN PEOPLE'S ARMY, CHOE RYONG HAE, SAYING:
"As we recall the revolutionary life and indelible achievements of our Generalissimo Kim Jong Il, we are strengthening our will and belief to honor the Great General Kim Jong Un's ideas and military power by obeying his 'military-first' revolutionary policy."
In Seoul, South Korea, 10 defectors from the North held a very different kind of ceremony.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) NORTH KOREAN DEFECTOR HAN CHANG KWEON SAYING:
"I heard North Korea is holding a memorial event, but we're here to celebrate his death."
And later in the day, some 150 South Koreans marked the anniversary by protesting the