Key facts
- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.
- The visit was to mark the 32nd anniversary of the death of state founder Kim Il-sung.
- Kim Jong-un paid tribute to his grandfather at midnight.
- Senior officials accompanied Kim Jong-un during the ceremony.
- The Korean Central News Agency reported the event.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the mausoleum of his grandfather, state founder Kim Il-sung, on Wednesday to mark the 32nd anniversary of his death. Flanked by senior officials, Kim Jong-un paid tribute at midnight at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the embalmed bodies of Kim Il-sung and his father, Kim Jong-il, lie in state.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong-un made deep bows to the former leaders, praying for their immortality. Kim Il-sung died on July 8, 1994, at the age of 82, while Kim Jong-il died on December 17, 2011, at 69. This year's commemoration is expected to be modest, as North Korea typically reserves its largest ceremonies for fifth and tenth anniversaries, which this year's falls outside of. The visit comes as Kim Jong-un has spent years building his own image as leader, relying less on the legacies of his father and grandfather to justify his rule.