Kim Jong-un visits family mausoleum on 1st anniversary of father's death

Marking the first anniversary of the death of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the North unveiled on Monday a renovated mausoleum for the ruling Kim family.

The reopening ceremony for Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, held from 9:00 a.m., was broadcast live by key television stations including (North) Korean Central Broadcasting Station, monitored in Seoul.

The North's state news wire service Korean Central News Agency said in an English dispatch that "an inaugural ceremony of the renovated Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is now under way in a solemn atmosphere on Monday."

Television images showed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attending the ceremony held at the mausoleum, where his father's embalmed body is laid, along with top military, party and government figures.

First lady Ri Sol-ju was with the leader when he paid tribute there. Clad in a black mourning dress, Ri appeared to be in the late stages of pregnancy as South Korean media have widely speculated, according to the television images.

Earlier this year, the North embarked on the renovation work at the Kim family mausoleum where the body of the country's founder Kim Il-sung is also laid.

The re-opening ceremony is widely expected to be followed by the unveiling of the preserved body of the late leader for public view.

The North said Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack on Dec. 17 while traveling for a field guidance. Kim's third-son Jong-un took over power following the death. (Yonhap)