SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 28, 2011 -- Tens of thousands of Pyongyang residents bid an emotional farewell to their late leader Kim Jong Il as a black hearse drove through snow-covered streets.

In this Oct. 4, 2007, file photo, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, left, holds hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il after exchanging joint declaration documents in Pyongyang, North Korea.

SEOUL, Feb. 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has begun celebrations for the anniversary of late former leader Kim Jong-il's birthday, a national holiday, by opening a commemorative photo exhibition ...

CNN Library (CNN) — Here is a look at the life of the late Kim Jong Il, former Leader of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Details of his life were mysterious and varied from source to ...

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's son Kim Jong Un attends a massive military parade marking the 65th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea, Oct. 10, 2010. <br>The ...

August 20, 2011 – Kim Jong Il travels to eastern Russia. He meets with President Dmitry Medvedev in Buryatia. December 17, 2011 – Dies at the age of 69, reportedly of a heart attack.

August 20, 2011 – Kim Jong Il travels to eastern Russia. He meets with President Dmitry Medvedev in Buryatia. December 17, 2011 – Dies at the age of 69, reportedly of a heart attack.

Kim Jong-il’s birthday means 5-day holiday for North Both his birthday and that of late national founder Kim Il Sung, on April 15, are observed as national holidays in North Korea.

August 20, 2011 – Kim Jong Il travels to eastern Russia. He meets with President Dmitry Medvedev in Buryatia. December 17, 2011 – Dies at the age of 69, reportedly of a heart attack.