12 Jan 2012

Nth Korean leader's body to go on permanent display

8:15 pm on 12 January 2012

The body of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is to lie in state permanently at a palace in the capital Pyongyang.

He will be displayed at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace alongside his father Kim Il-sung, the BBC reports.

State media say there are also plans to build memorial towers for him and his birthday on 16 February will be marked as a "Day of the Shining Star".

Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack on 17 December last year at the age of 69. His body was put on display at the palace before an elaborate funeral on 28 December.

He has been succeeded by third son, Kim Jong-un, believed to be in his late 20s.