In Pictures

North Koreans mark the death of leader Kim Jong Il

North Koreans vow loyalty to Kim Jong Un on the anniversary of the death of his father.

North Korean soldiers line up as they pay respect to the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill Grand Monument in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. — The bronze statues of late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill Grand Monument in Pyongyang. [Dita Alangkara/AP Photo]

North Koreans are marking the seventh anniversary of the death of leader Kim Jong Il with visits to statues and vows of loyalty to his son and successor, Kim Jong Un.

As snow fell Sunday, tens of thousands of people offered flowers and paid respects to the late leader at Mansu Hill Grand Monument in central Pyongyang, the location of huge bronze statues of the “Dear Leader” and national founder Kim Il Sung.

The anniversary observations were expected to continue across the country on Monday.

The death of Kim Jong Il on December 17, 2011, thrust his son into power when he was still in his late 20s and a virtually unknown figure outside of North Korea.

North Korean girls play with the snow on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, where the winter season has started, on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) — North Korean girls play in the snow on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. [Dita Alangkara/AP Photo]

North Koreans lay flowers at the base of the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill Grand Monument in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. Tens of tho — Tens of thousands of people flocked to Mansu Hill Grand Monument to mark the seventh anniversary of the death of leader Kim Jong Il. [Dita Alangkara/AP Photo]

North Korean bow at the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill Grand Monument in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. North Koreans are marking the se — North Koreans are marking the seventh anniversary of the death of leader Kim Jong Il with visits to statues and vows of loyalty to his son, Kim Jong Un. [Dita Alangkara/AP Photo]

North Koreans hold flowers to be laid at the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill Grand Monument in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. Tens of tho — The death of Kim Jong Il on December 17, 2011, thrust his son into power. [Dita Alangkara/AP Photo]

North Koreans bow at the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill Grand Monument in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. North Koreans are marking the s — The anniversary observations were expected to continue through Monday across the country. [Dita Alangkara/AP Photo]

A member of North Korean military holds flowers to be laid at the bronze statues of the late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill Grand Monument in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Dec. 17 — A member of the North Korean military holds flowers to be laid at Mansu Hill Grand Monument in Pyongyang. [Dita Alangkara/AP Photo]

North Korean soldiers leave after paying their respects to the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill Grand Monument in Pyongyang, North Korea, Monday, Dec. 17, — North Korean soldiers marching after paying their respects at Mansu Hill Grand Monument. [Dita Alangkara/AP Photo]