North Korea marks Kim Jong Il’s 70th birthday

The North Korean leader, who died in December, would have been 70 on Thursday.

5 Seconds

00:00

Feb. 16, 2012

New North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang after reviewing a parade of thousands of soldiers and commemorating the 70th birthday of the late Kim Jong Il.

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 16, 2012

New North Korean soldiers chant at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang, North Korea, during a parade of thousands of soldiers commemorating the 70th birthday of the country's late leader Kim Jong Il.

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 16, 2012

A North Korean woman cries as she and others pay their respects beneath a large portrait of the late leader Kim Jong Il.

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 16, 2012

North Koreans walk toward a stand to lay flowers beneath a large portrait of the country's late leader Kim Jong Il to commemorate his death and what would have been his 70th birthday.

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 16, 2012

North Korean soldiers salute as civilians bow beneath a large portrait of the country's late leader Kim Jong Il.

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 16, 2012

A North Korean soldier sheds tears during a parade marking the 70th birthday of the country's late leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang, North Korea.

AP / AP

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, exchanges smiles with President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea Kim Yong Nam during a military parade to mark the birth anniversary of the North's late leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang.

Kyodo / Reuters

Feb. 16, 2012

Senior North Korean officials, including new leader Kim Jong Un, right, review a parade of thousands of soldiers who vowed to protect Kim Jong Un with their lives as North Korea commemorated the 70th birthday of his late father, Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang, North Korea.

AP / AP

Feb. 16, 2012

North Korean soldiers march and carry a portrait of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during a military parade at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang commemorating his 70th birthday.

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 16, 2012

New North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, far right, applauds with senior military personnel at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang while reviewing a parade of thousands of soldiers and commemorating the 70th birthday of his late father, Kim Jong Il.

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 16, 2012

North Koreans soldiers salute while civilians bow in front of a portrait of the country's late leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang, North Korea.

AP / AP

Feb. 16, 2012

North Koreans bow in front of a portrait of the country's late leader Kim Jong Il as they gather in Kim Il Sung Square, marking the 70th birthday of Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang, North Korea.

AP / AP

Feb. 16, 2012

Senior North Korean military members approach an area where new North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other military and political leaders stand at Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang before reviewing a parade of thousands of soldiers and commemorating the 70th birthday of the late Kim Jong Il.

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 16, 2012

North Koreans offer flowers to mark the birth anniversary of the North's late leader Kim Jong Il at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang.

Kyodo / Reuters

Feb. 16, 2012

North Koreans offer flowers to bronze statues of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong II, right, and his father the late North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, riding horses side by side, at Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang.

Kyodo / Reuters

Feb. 16, 2012

North Koreans offer flowers to bronze statues of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong II and his father, the late North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, at Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang.

Kyodo / Reuters

Feb. 15, 2012

North Koreans visit the 16th Kimjongilia Festival to mark the birth anniversary of the North's late leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang.

Kyodo / Reuters

Feb. 15, 2012

North Korean children perform in a mass synchronized swimming show in Pyongyang, North Korea to celebrate the birthday of the late leader Kim Jong Il.

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 14, 2012

Bronze statues of late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, right, and his father, the late North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, riding horses side by side, are unveiled to the public at Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang. Kim Jong Il’s birthday falls on Feb. 16.

Kyodo / Reuters

Feb. 13, 2012

A member of an art troupe of Korean people living in Japan performs on the occasion of the birth anniversary of late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang .

KCNA / Reuters

Feb. 15, 2012

North Korean women perform in a mass synchronized swimming show in Pyongyang to celebrate the birthday of the late leader Kim Jong Il, who would have turned 70 on Feb. 16. The women performed, as a grand finale, the song "We Will Defend General Kim Jong Eun at the Risk of Our Lives.”

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 15, 2012

North Korean children perform in a mass synchronized swimming show in Pyongyang. The girls swam to the song "We Are Flower Buds and Butterflies.”

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 14, 2012

North Korea's President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Kim Yong Nam, fourth from left, tours an exhibition of "Kimjongilia" flowers, named after the late leader Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang.

Kim Kwang Hyon / AP

Feb. 13, 2012

In this Monday, photo, a North Korean man looks at a display of recently issued postage stamps, including those that commemorate the death of Kim Jong Il, at a postage stamp shop in Pyongyang.

David Guttenfelder / AP

Feb. 14, 2012

Commemorative gold and silver coins mark the anniversary of the birth of North Korea's late leader Kim Jong Il. North Korea announced it has awarded medals to 132 people — including the widow of Kim Jong Il — to mark the late leader's 70th birthday this week.

Yonhap / AFP/Getty Images

Feb. 13, 2012

Kim Jong Eun's signature is seen on a letter that reads, "We present to dear comrade Kim Jong Eun who is the supreme leader of our party and people" (top) and "From girls who volunteered to go to Taehung from Pyongyang.” Kim Jong Eun, the son of the late leader Kim Jong Il and the current leader of North Korea, sent his autographs to officials and working people of different units and teachers and students of the country on Feb. 9 after reading the letters they presented to him on the Day of the Shining Star, which carried their pledge to implement the behests of leader Kim Jong Il.

KCNA / Reuters

Featured Photo Galleries

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more in the day in photos

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

COVINGTON, LA - MAY 14: Brother Emmanuel Labrise of St. Joseph's Abbey prepares a casket for lining on May 15, 2012 in Covington, Louisiana. Louisiana law forbids those who are not licensed funeral directors from selling caskets. And since Hurricane Katrina leveled the timberlands that once provided the main source of funding for the abbey, the monks have attempted to make a living by building and selling simple cypress caskets. The monks won their first round last year, and have a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in June. (Photo by Sean Gardner/For the Washington Post)

Louisiana monks fight for the right to sell coffins

Federal court case pits a group of monks against the funeral home industry.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.