DPRK Forum

From the NY Times archives: See the reports on Kim Il Sung’s death. I do not know if you need to be a subscriber to see it, but from what I know, the archive is open, and do not need to pay to see the archives. Some interesting links:

The? two? day? funeral? for? Kim? Il? Sung

North Koreans Begin a 2-Day Funeral for Kim
By ANDREW POLLACK,
Published: July 19, 1994
The glass coffin containing the body of Kim Il Sung was carried through the streets of North Koreas capital in a motorcade this morning as funeral proceedings began for the self-proclaimed Great Leader who ruled the Communist nation for nearly five decades. The final ceremonies, which are to last two days, cap a 10-day frenzy of mourning intended not only to say goodbye to the only leader North Korea has ever known, but also to pave the emotional pathway for the assumption of power by his son and chosen successor, Kim Jong Il. The transition seems to have been unexpectedly smooth, though there is no precedent for a dynastic succession in a Communist country.

There was a corection to the story and the coffin was opaque and not glass. It was not known then, but is well known today Kim Jong Il was firmly in power, Kim Il Sung is in his huge palace, and the hero worship after his death just intensified. It is interesting to note how little is known about North Korea until after the fact, and even then, it is difficult to guage.

Blurred Images of North Korea’s ‘Junior’

This? article? is? interesting? because? Kim? Jong? Il? is? pretty? reclusive. Back then, a lot of speculation was flying around about the succession, how rule was going to be conducted, of id North Korea would survive after the Great Leader’s death.

Kim’s Funeral Is Delayed for Two Days

This is a suppliment to the first article listed here. It is more speculation if power transfer was going smoothly or not.

South Korea Prohibits Trips To North to Mourn Leader

This I did not know, but it does make sense because little was known as to what could happen once Kim Il Sung did die. Apparently, instead of the loudspeakers were blaring funeral music instead of the usual abuses (from what I understand, the loudspeaker wars quit around 2000).

DEATH OF A LEADER: THE HEIR APPARENT; A ‘Dear Leader,’ Not Very Well Known, but Trained for Years to Take Control

DEATH OF A LEADER: THE SCENE; In Pyongyang, Crowds of Mourners Gather at Kim Statue

This is pretty well known today, and I have a video of the event. Most Korea watchers have seen this many times before, but I will include it anyway:

And finally, the breaking story:

KIM IL SUNG DEAD AT AGE 82; LED NORTH KOREA 5 DECADES; WAS NEAR TALKS WITH SOUTH

A long and very interesting article.