The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) held various events on Monday to commemorate late leader Kim Jong Il on the first anniversary of his death.

Top leader Kim Jong Un and wife Ri Sol Ju attended the inaugural ceremony for the renovated Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the embalmed bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are laid.

The couple paid respect together with the top brass, foreign diplomats and scientists who contributed to the country's Dec. 12 satellite launch. All participants observed a moment of silence in memory of Kim Jong Il, who died of a heart attack on Dec. 17, 2011.

Choe Ryong Hae, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, said the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is a symbol of the glorious revolutionary careers of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

According to official news agency KCNA, Kim Jong Un, in a letter of thanks to mausoleum renovation workers, urged all the people to transform the country into an economic power to fulfill his father's and grandfather's hopes of establishing a prosperous country, along the road of independence, Songun (military-first) and socialism.

The country sounded a siren across the country and had three minutes of silence to commemorate Kim Jong Il.

Thousands of local people streamed to the renovated mausoleum, Kim Il Sung Square and Mansu Hill Statues to pay tribute to the late leader, with floral baskets and flowers in hand.

Official newspaper Rodong Sinmun also carried a special report with two additional pages to pay tribute to the late leader. Endi

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