World

See Kim Jong Il’s Body Displayed in an Extravagant Glass Coffin

PYONGYANG, North Korea (The Blaze/AP) — The body of North Korea’s long-time ruler Kim Jong Il was laid out in a glass coffin Tuesday as weeping mourners filled public plazas and state media fed a budding personality cult around his third son, hailing him as “born of heaven.”

North Korea’s official television showed still photos of Kim in the coffin surrounded by wreaths, his body covered with a red blanket and his head on a white pillow. A giant red curtain covered a wall behind Kim.

See video of the display, below:

Kim Jong Un – Kim’s third son and successor – visited the coffin along with top military and Workers’ Party officials and held a “solemn ceremony” as the country mourned, state TV said. One woman apparently wiped tears from her eyes.

Kim died of a massive heart attack caused by overwork and stress, according to the North’s media. He was 69 – though some experts question the official accounts of his birth date and location.

(Related: Sen. John McCain Says Jong Il Joins ’Qaddafi, Bin Laden, Hitler, & Stalin in a Warm Corner of Hell’)

Although there were no signs of unrest or discord in Pyongyang’s somber streets, Kim’s death and the possibility of a power struggle in a country seeking nuclear weapons and known for its secrecy and unpredictability have heightened tensions in the region.

With the country in an 11-day period of official mourning, flags were flown at half-staff at all military units, factories, businesses, farms and public buildings. The streets of Pyongyang were quiet, but throngs of people gathered at landmarks honoring Kim, footage from Associated Press Television News in Pyongyang showed. Yesterday, the Blaze brought you shocking video of alleged reactions to the death.

Kim’s body was in the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, a mausoleum where the embalmed body of his father – national founder Kim Il Sung – has been on display in a glass sarcophagus since his death in 1994.

Kim Jong Ils Body Displayed in Glass Coffin

In this image made from video, North Koreans lay flowers in front of a giant statue of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang, North Korea Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011, a day after North Korea announced the death of leader Kim Jong Il. (AP Photo/APTN)

The state funeral is to be held there on Dec. 28.

“Our General (Kim Jong Il) is our people’s benevolent father,” said Ri Ho Il, a lecturer at the Korean Revolutionary History Museum. “He defended our people’s happiness, carrying on his forced march both night and day.”

North Korean officials say they will not invite foreign delegations and will allow no entertainment during the mourning period.

North Korean state media have given clear indications that Kim Jong Un will succeed him. Since Kim’s death they have stepped up their lavish praise of the son, indicating an effort to strengthen a cult of personality around him similar to that of his father and – much more strongly – of Kim Il Sung.

The Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday described Kim Jong Un as a “a great person born of heaven,” a propaganda term only his father Kim Jong Il and his grandfather Kim Il Sung had enjoyed. The Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling Workers’ Party, added in an editorial that Kim Jong Un is “the spiritual pillar and the lighthouse of hope” for the military and the people.

It described the twenty-something Kim as “born of Mount Paektu,” one of Korea‘s most cherished sites and Kim Jong Il’s official birthplace. On Monday, the North said in a dispatch that the people and the military “have pledged to uphold the leadership of comrade Kim Jong Un” and called him a “great successor” of the country’s revolutionary philosophy of juche, or self reliance.

Kim Jong Ils Body Displayed in Glass Coffin

But concerns remain over whether the transition will be a smooth one.

Soon after the death was announced Monday, President Barack Obama agreed by phone with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to closely monitor developments. Japan’s government also said it was being vigilant for any “unexpected developments.”

South Korea’s military has been put on high alert, and experts warned that the next few days could be a crucial turning point for the North, which though impoverished by economic mismanagement and repeated famine, has a relatively well-supported, 1.2 million-strong armed forces.

Kim’s death could set back efforts by the United States and others to get Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions. Concerns are also high that Kim Jong Un – being young and largely untested – may feel he needs to prove himself by precipitating a crisis or displaying his swagger on the international stage.

Kim Jong Il was in power for 17 years after the death of his father, and was groomed for power years before that. Kim Jong Un only emerged as the likely heir over the past year.

North Korea conducted at least one short-range missile test Monday, South Korean officials said. But they saw them as a routine drill.

“The sudden death of Kim Jong Il has plunged the isolated state of North Korea into a period of major uncertainty. There are real concerns that heir-apparent Kim Jong Un has not had sufficient time to form the necessary alliances in the country to consolidate his future as leader of the country,” said Sarah McDowall, a senior analyst with U.S.-based consultants IHS.

Some analysts, however, said Kim’s death was unlikely to plunge the country into chaos because it already was preparing for a transition. Kim Jong Il indicated a year ago that Kim Jong Un would be his successor, putting him in high-ranking posts.

South Korea’s president urged his people to remain calm while his Cabinet and the Parliament convened emergency meetings Tuesday. Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik said his government is refraining from moves that may exasperate North Korea.

Comments (114)

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  • streetrodder
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:04am

    I think thats the best he’s ever looked.

    Report Post »  
    • Anti_Spock
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:46am

      Extravagant Glass Coffin?? C’Mon Blaze…. sloppy journalism… what makes this glass extravagant?

      Report Post » Anti_Spock  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:51am

      Kim Jong Eun looks even more unhinged than his father.

      Report Post »  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:56am

      When does the Obama family and he Clinton family leave for the funeral. Have the Democrats ordered all US flags be flown at half mast for 6 months to honor this kind world leader.

      Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 12:10pm

      For a guy that shot the lowest round of 18 holes of golf, he hasn’t been nominated for the Golfing Hall of Fame yet? He shot an 18. Barry is probably close to achieving that milestone. People that reside in Glass Coffins shouldn’t cast the first stone. FORE Kim Jung DEAD

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 1:55pm

      Time Magazine and all American news magazines will not have Korea’s Kim Jong on their covers as “Man of the Year, Man of the Century.”

      Kim Jong, another hero and martyr to communist socialism. One day Obama will become a Hero and Martyr to Socialism and we will all cry with joy.

      Report Post »  
    • Patrick Henry II
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 3:23pm

      I bet his feet really hurt… Ouch…ouch….ouch…dance dance dance,…that burns…….

      Report Post » Patrick Henry II  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 4:10pm

      Wow!!….they really do make Tupperware in any size you could possibly need!

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • blamelessace5
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 12:51am

      theyre prolly making him watch team america in hell lol

      Report Post » blamelessace5  
    • 408 CheyTac
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 1:43am

      Not allow any entertainment the day of the funeral? How the heck is that going to work? After all, that event is going to be one of the biggest clown-shows of all time.

      Report Post »  
  • singleparent
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:43am

    Who care’s not me.. Next.

    Report Post »  
    • Rickfromillinois
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:59am

      How very profound. Would you care if because of instability in North Korea there was a war on the Korean peninsula which the United States gets dragged into? Would you care if North Korea used chemical weapons? Would you care if they stuck a nuclear weapon on one of their missiles that can reach Hawaii or our West Coast and fired it off? Go ahead and return your head to it’s normal location up your backside.

      Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
    • Reload
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:35am

      Have you forgotten that those crazy midgets have nukes?

      Report Post » Reload  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 1:18pm

      And caring is going to accomplish what? Nothing…there is nothing anyone of us can do unless your in some sort of position to make policy and influence government decision making. Try not to get wound up about things that you have no control over.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • Jezreel
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:42am

    I thank my Lord God Jesus of heaven that I am a nobody but I get to go to heaven. All these so called great men will stand before the throne of God and give account. They will answer for all the souls and babies that they murdered and suffer the same fate in hell except that they will be given ressurection bodies suited for damnation that will never stop suffering what they did to others.

    Report Post »  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:10am

      Im surprised Obama didnt order our flags at half staff…..

      Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:53am

      Perhaps the Bamster is trying to work out if they speak “North Korean” (much like “the Austrian language) so that he can send his condolenscences?

      Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 1:22pm

      Death to all tyrants. They are the bane of human existence. They cause more suffering worldwide than anything else. They divide us, make us go to their wars, force us into taxations without representations, they make laws contrary to the laws of God and call it progress and good.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • bringiton
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 1:59pm

      Careful there, GEORGE. The secret service will come-a-knockin’ if you keep making threats to the commie-in-chief.

      Report Post »  
  • freedom4ever
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:40am

    Thank you Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist for the article about Captain Bonifas and Lt Barrett. This was interesting reading about two men who gave their lives in service of our country. It is a time for prayer for the people and what could happen. May God be with them and deliver them from these evil people.

    Report Post »  
  • OLD WHITE DEVIL
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:36am

    Did anyone notice that no one is allowed to get close to the coffin? That is so you cant tell they buried the little bastard in a football display case!!

    Report Post »  
    • urrybr
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:46am

      Touche’!! Well-spoken sir.

      Report Post » urrybr  
    • lukerw
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 12:45pm

      LOL :) Maybe, he’s just the size of an Action Figure :)

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • bringiton
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 2:05pm

      HAHA! Maybe they’ll make it into a snow globe!

      Report Post »  
    • blamelessace5
      Posted on December 21, 2011 at 12:47am

      hey if u keep him in his original packaging is he worth more 20 yrs down the road ??

      Report Post » blamelessace5  
  • SHIPMONEY100TRILLION
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:25am

    Now all the have to do in is light it on fire and let it burn.

    Report Post »  
  • mwoakley
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:25am

    The new “leader” sure is a fat little porker, ain’t he? Thousands of his “followers” starving and that kid looks like a stuffed turkey.

    Report Post » mwoakley  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:45am

      I hear ya… I say they filet the fat bastard up and do a little kim chee thingy on his a$$.

      Report Post » Ookspay  
  • macpappy
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:20am

    I got out my copy of “Team America” and watched in respect.

    Report Post » macpappy  
  • classicalgas
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:16am

    Another dictator bites the dust, but this is not the end for the poor Koreans. Un will, no doubt, carry on his father’s reign of terror.

    I have a sinking feeling that this idiot will do something soon to show the world his new-found power.

    Report Post » classicalgas  
    • SHIPMONEY100TRILLION
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:28am

      No all they have to do is send some one in to knock off the sun of a butt F”r. What’s his name? . . . Oh . . Turd Face.

      Report Post »  
  • ares338
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:14am

    You WILL cry and wail or be shot! Now, go cry!

    Report Post » ares338  
  • qpwillie
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:10am

    Good to see he’s still dead.

    Report Post » qpwillie  
  • Badmancomith
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:09am

    Now he’s shovel ready!

    Report Post » Badmancomith  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:08am

    .
    That’s a waste of good glass……….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • ormoz
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:03am

    What a horrible and fake setup ,
    Another son of the devil gone – lets see how his son will be……..

    Report Post » ormoz  
  • Slowman101
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:57am

    HOPEFULLY Korea will become a little more free, but I have my doubts. As for Kim and his Pablum puking son, they all need to rot in hell.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:55am

    A mortal & finite god… is no god at all!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • nobull14
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:52am

    I hope he gets a front row seat in HELL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • tradexpertbuysell
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:58am

      Nothing like cold crap under glass.

      Nuk! Nuk! Nuk!

      No respect for the dead? Ya betcha!

      Report Post »  
    • MR_ANDERSON
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:03am

      Would Jesus want us to hope for someone to be eternally damned?

      If you don’t believe in Jesus, how about your god, what would your god want?

      If you don’t believe in a god, then why would you make a statement that doesn’t match your beliefs, or do you think Hell is a physical place we can ship bodies off to for safe keeping?

      Report Post »  
    • jonnyfontain
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:15am

      good point Mr. Anderson; no matter how messed up these crazy asians are, just like the crazy muslims. As Christians we should pray for our enemies, that they might pull their head out of their ass and get with the program! Thats what separates us from the north koreans who imprison people, or the muslims who rape women, beat women, and cut the heads off of people.

      Report Post » jonnyfontain  
  • GhostOfJefferson
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:50am

    “ as weeping mourners ”

    Yeah, sure, right. The “weeping mourners” who were making those clearly fake and exaggerated alien-being sounding wails. Give it a rest, you bunch of state worshipping fakers.

    Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • IMPEACHBHO
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:57am

      They remind me of the 2008 campaign.

      Report Post » IMPEACHBHO  
    • sndrman
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:09am

      betcha these people with fake tears are actually state workers. bearucrats unsure of their future….they ahve to do this or they will disapear in “work camps”… bet every statest,socialist,communist,liberal,radical,atheist and yes this includes b.HUSSAIN o. must be jealous big big time. wonder if one day we’ll have to fake cry to appease a ruler?

      Report Post »  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:28am

      Ah Come on Ghost, you don’t seem too convinced of their grief. Anyone who has ever raised children have seen better fake tears than that. Maybe they know that their rice rations will be cut in half, to 2 grains a day!

      I wonder how long before his cherubic face will be plastered all over college campuses and t-shirts, move over Che.

      Also, those North Koreans sure are a healthy looking bunch. Not an overweight commie in the crowd, huh…

      Report Post » Ookspay  
    • Rickfromillinois
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 10:03am

      We may tell ourselves that they are fake tears but what is frightening is that for many of them it is not. They sincerely believe, just like many sincerely believed in Hitler. Those are the ones EVERYBODY should be afraid of because THEY are the ones who will willingly do whatever their great leader tells them.

      Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • JLGunner
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:46am

    I’m waiting for Hugo Chavez to bite it so I can see Sean Penn cry like a dear leader fallower. I’m making popcorn.

    Report Post » JLGunner  
    • classicalgas
      Posted on December 20, 2011 at 9:19am

      Sean Penn is probably practicing his teary goodbye already.

      Report Post » classicalgas  
  • jonnyfontain
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:46am

    looks like we know who is eating all of the foreign aid food in North Korea! Kim Jung un, you big fat fatty, let your people have some too. Oh and PS, your dad was a dumb-**** and I for one am ecstatic that that bastard died! Party at my house blaze, everyone’s invited! We are going to watch team America in honor of the idiot.

    Report Post » jonnyfontain  
  • Trebuchet
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:45am

    Ah, peasant under glass.

    Report Post »  
  • Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:43am

    After two tours in Korea this is a beautiful sight!

    Report Post » Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist  
  • IMPEACHBHO
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:33am

    Now BHO can move into the #1 spot.

    Report Post » IMPEACHBHO  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:31am

    Rot in hell Kim.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:30am

    Would rather see a picture pf his soul burning in hell…

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
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