North Korea parlayed the success of last week's rocket launch to glorify leader Kim Jong-un and his late father on Sunday, the eve of the first anniversary of his death.
Coat flying open, reins in hand, Kim Jong-il is depicted astride a galloping horse in a larger-than-life statue unveiled Tuesday as part of birthday celebrations for the late North Korean leader.
North Korea's power brokers publicly declared Kim Jong Un the country's supreme leader for the first time at a massive public memorial Thursday for his father, cementing the family's hold on power for another generation.
North Koreans on Thursday bade a final farewell to "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il during an elaborate memorial ceremony that established his son Kim Jong-un as his successor and "supreme leader" of the secretive, totalitarian regime.
U.S. intelligence agencies are busy assessing the new power structure emerging in North Korea as Kim Jong-un, son of the late Kim Jong-il, takes over.
A ballistic missile that is to be a cornerstone of Russia's nuclear arsenal has completed its rocky test program and will be commissioned by the military, President Dmitry Medvedev announced Tuesday during a meeting with military officers.
A South Korean mourning delegation returned home Tuesday after meeting with Kim Jong-un, North Korea's next leader, who rapidly has gained prominence since the death of his father, Kim Jong-il.
"Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un is our party, military and country's supreme leader who inherits great comrade Kim Jong Il's ideology, leadership, character, virtues, grit and courage," Kim Yong Nam, considered North Korea's ceremonial head of state, said in a speech.
