Kim Jong-il Funeral

Kim Jong-un, the designated successor to the socialist throne in Pyongyang, North Korea, bid farewell on Wednesday to his deceased father, Kim Jong-il, walking along his hearse through snow-covered downtown Pyongyang in an extensive funeral closely watched for early glimpses of who's rising and who's fading under the young untested leader.

North Korea has invited Japanese woman magician Tenko Hikita to attend the planned December 28 funeral for its leader Kim Jong Il who died last weekend, her manager claimed today. Ms Hikita, who has performed several magic shows in North Korea, received the invitation over the phone and via e-mail from one of Kim's relatives.

Kim Jong-un, the designated successor to the socialist throne in Pyongyang, North Korea, bid farewell on Wednesday to his deceased father, Kim Jong-il, walking along his hearse through snow-covered downtown Pyongyang in an extensive funeral closely watched for early glimpses of who's rising and who's fading under the young untested leader.

North Korea has invited Japanese woman magician Tenko Hikita to attend the planned December 28 funeral for its leader Kim Jong Il who died last weekend, her manager claimed today. Ms Hikita, who has performed several magic shows in North Korea, received the invitation over the phone and via e-mail from one of Kim's relatives.