NKoreans mark 8th anniversary of Kim Jong II's death

North Koreans referred to Kim Jong II as their "great general" and offered the usual affirmations of support for their current leader, Kim Jong Un. Steady streams of people continued to pay their respects on Tuesday morning, as national flags flew lowered on their poles around the capital Pyongyang.

Pyongyang:North Koreans marked the 8th anniversary of the death of their former leader Kim Jong Il this week.

On a cold and wet Monday evening, the eve of the anniversary, crowds clambered up Mansu Hill to lay flowers and bow to the pair of giant statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

The statue of Kim Jong Il was erected in 2012 after his death in December 2011.

Steady streams of people continued to pay their respects on Tuesday morning, as national flags flew lowered on their poles around the capital Pyongyang.

North Koreans are expected to make a show of obeisance on all major holidays and anniversaries.

North Koreans referred to Kim Jong Il as their "great general" and offered the usual affirmations of support for their current leader, Kim Jong Un.

This week's anniversary follows a period of intense promotion of recent construction projects associated with Kim Jong Un.

North Korea has carried out 13 ballistic missile launches since May seeking to pressure Washington, and it has hinted at lifting its moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests if the Trump administration fails to make substantial concessions installed nuclear talks before the new year.