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AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images

In pictures: North Korea's military parade in honour of Kim Jong Il

Commemorative events and a major military parade were held on what would have been the late leader’s 70th birthday.

THOUSANDS OF North Korean soldiers took part in a major military parade today to commemorate the late leader Kim Jong Il on what would have been his 70th birthday.

Kilm Jong Il died following a heart attack in December and today’s ceremonies included screenings of footage taken in the days following his death during a national outpouring of grief. The military parade was held outside Kumsusan Palace, where the late leader’s embalmed remains lie in state.

The holiday has been named ‘Day of the Shining Star’ in his honour.

His son and successor Kim Jong Un presided over today’s events in Pyongyang. The AP reports that his ode ‘Footsteps’ was played throughout the city all day today, while North Korean media reports that he received floral tributes to his father from the diplomatic envoys of Nigeria, Egypt, Cambodia, as well as from UNICEF, UNDP and WHO missions in the state.

Earlier this week, statues of Kim Jong Il and his father, the state’s founder, Kim Il Sung riding horses together were unveiled in Pyongyang.

North Korea
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  • North Korea

    New North Korean leader Kim Jong Un looks down the line at military leaders at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images)
  • North Korea

    North Korean military vehicles are lined up at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images)
  • North Korea

    Fireworks explode over the heads of North Korean soldiers lined up in formation in Pyongyang today. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images)
  • North Korea

    North Koreans applaud as a large screen shows a portrait of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images)
  • North Korea

    Flowers are laid at Kim Il Sung Square during today's commemorations of Kim Jong Il's death and what would have been his 70th birthday. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images)
  • North Korea

    A large screen shows video recorded during the period of mourning following the death of late leader Kim Jong Il. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images)
  • North Korea

    North Koreans walk towards a stand at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang to lay flowers beneath a large portrait of the late leader. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images)
  • North Korea

    New North Korean women soldiers chant at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang during today's parade. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images)
  • North Korea

    New North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves after reviewing a parade of thousands of soldiers. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images)
  • North Korea

    North Korean soldiers carry a portrait of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during the military parade. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images)
  • North Korea

    New North Korean leader Kim Jong Un bows his head as he stands with senior political and military leaders. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder/PA Images)

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10 Comments
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    Mute David
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    Feb 16th 2012, 9:34 PM

    U can see Claire daly and Daniel boyd barrett in the background

    25
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    Mute Eamonn Connaghan
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    Feb 16th 2012, 10:00 PM

    Went through those photos couldn’t see either of them or Richard Boyd Barrett.

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    Mute John O'Neill
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    Feb 16th 2012, 11:53 PM

    Wrong story…. That’s actually a tribute parade in honour of Ronan O’Gara.

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    Mute Cyril Butler
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    Feb 16th 2012, 10:20 PM

    What is it about psychotic despots and well ironed suits? Maybe I could learn a thing or two from them.

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    Mute john g mcgrath
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    Feb 16th 2012, 11:50 PM

    Is that Frank Ross and Gilmore just 2nd back on the left ?

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    Mute Réada Quinn
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    Feb 17th 2012, 3:17 AM

    Was that you whispering in Mary Lou’s ear in the Dáil today? Thought so! ;)

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    Mute jackass ireland
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    Feb 16th 2012, 11:15 PM

    Just a thought, but maybe if all of those people had been at productive jobs during the day contributing to GDP, they might not be starving. 1 missile = 20,000 Wicklow lamb. Mmmmm. Misslilessss.

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    Mute Weazel Macgagarthy
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    Feb 17th 2012, 4:17 AM

    Do the leaders there not like read the internet comments and realise how silly they are to everyone?

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    Mute Colum Corr
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    Feb 17th 2012, 1:20 AM

    Sounds like he must’ve been a really nice guy who surely deserves an amazing post-humus celebration of his birthday from his people. RIP!

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    Mute graham turner
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    Feb 17th 2012, 10:21 AM

    kim jung il, now they should call him kim jung dead

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