North Korea celebrates late leader Kim Jong Il’s birthday

Citizens pay tribute to the statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea on the occasion of the 80th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

North Korea has celebrated the 80th birthday of late leader Kim Jong Il with a concert, fireworks and a rare outdoor ceremony near its border with China, state media reported.

His son – and current leader – Kim Jong Un attended a state ceremony at Samjiyon city on Tuesday, on the eve of the birthday, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.