N. Korea commemorates Kim Jong-il's 75th birthday despite death of Kim Jong-nam

North Korea is largely believed to be behind the assassination of Kim Jong-nam.
But the regime spent the day commemorating the 75th birthday of Kim Jong-il.
It's closest ally, China is also keeping rather quiet about the incident with minimal media
coverage.
Kim Jung-soo zooms in on their nonchalant attitude
It's been just three days since the death of Kim Jong-nam, which raised questions about
North Korea's political stability, but the regime seems determined to use the 75th birthday
of Kim Jong-il on Thursday as an opportunity to display its people's affection for the
late leader and the legacy he represented.
The day is considered one of North Korea's biggest holidays, along with Kim Il-sung's
birthday on April 15th.
After attending a general assembly commemorating his father's birthday on Wednesday, the regime's
33-year-old leader Kim Jong-un appeared at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun mausoleum at
around midnight to pay tribute to Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, whose remains are lying in
state at the facility.
Beginning Wednesday, the regime's state-owned media has released footage of special military
parades, in which military officials,... including Hwang Pyong-so, the director of the General
Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army,... promised to help realize Kim Jong-il's vision
to the fullest.
"We pledge allegiance to our supreme leader Kim Jong-il."
Meanwhile, over in China, reports of Kim Jong-nam's death appear to have been pulled down from
the main pages of Chinese websites,.. raising questions about whether authorities have blocked
the news.
China's government-run Xinhuamang and privately-run Wangyimang sites have remained rather silent,
aside from news about a briefing by China's foreign ministry held the day before.
China's state-run CCTV reported on the incident in its morning newscast and only briefly reported
on the foreign ministry's stance.
Some analysts believe that China wants to minimize speculation that it was protecting
the North Korean leader's half brother, which could lead to a diplomatic conflict with the
regime.
Kim Jung-soo, Arirang News.

N. Korea commemorates Kim Jong-il's 75th birthday despite death of Kim Jong-nam

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