North Korea Leadership Watch

Research and Analysis on the DPRK Leadership

Kim Jong Un Attends Ri Ul Sol’s Funeral

Kim Jong Un leads the state funeral committee out of the Central Hall of Workers in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015, as they process behind the casket of MAR Ri Ul Sol and members of Ri's family (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un leads the state funeral committee out of the Central Hall of Workers in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015, as they process behind the casket of MAR Ri Ul Sol and members of Ri’s family (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un’s last observed appearance was his visit to Ri Ul Sol’s wake

Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) attended the state funeral and burial ceremony of MAR Ri Ul Sol on November 11 (Wednesday).  Also in attendance were members of the Ri Ul Sol Funeral Committee, various Workers’ Party of Korea [WPK], Korean People’s Army [KPA] and DPRK Government officials and members of Ri’s family.

Ri Ul Sol's funeral at the Central Hall of Workers in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun).

Ri Ul Sol’s funeral at the Central Hall of Workers in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun).

Jong Un “observed a moment’s silence in memory of the late Ri Ul Sol an expressed deep condolence over his death” at the funeral.  Members of the state funeral committee and of Ri’s family also observed a moment of silence after which Jong Un, the funeral committee members and members of the Ri family ceremoniously followed MAR Ri’s casket out of the Central Hall of Workers.  A BTR conveyed the coffin through Pyongyang’s streets to the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery.  According to KCNA, “tens of thousands of service personnel and people from all walks of life” lined the cortege route and “bid farewell to the deceased.”

Ri Ul Sol's casket processes from the Central Hall of Workers, led by members of his family bearing his state awards and watches (top left) Ri's casket is placed on a BTR armored personnel carrier (top right)  and conveyed to the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Ri Ul Sol’s casket processes from the Central Hall of Workers, led by members of his family bearing his state awards and watches (top left) Ri’s casket is placed on a BTR armored personnel carrier (top right) and conveyed to the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

The body of Ri Ul Sol is conveyed through the streets of Pyongyang to the gates of the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery (bottom right) on November 11, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

The body of Ri Ul Sol is conveyed through the streets of Pyongyang to the gates of the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery (bottom right) on November 11, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

MAR Ri Ul Sol's casket is conveyed through Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

MAR Ri Ul Sol’s casket is conveyed through Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

A graveside service to inter MAR Ri Ul Sol at the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

A graveside service to inter MAR Ri Ul Sol at the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK leadership attending Ri Ul Sol's interment ceremony: a. Kim Chol Man (Member, WPK Central Committee; former Chairman Second Economic Committee); b. Kim Yong Nam (SPA Presidium President); c. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff) ; d. Pak Pong Ju (DPRK Premier); e. Kim Ki Nam (WPK Secretary of Propaganda and Agitation); f. Gen. Kim Wo'n-hong (Minister of State Security); g. Kim Yang Gon (WPK Secretary for the United Front); h. Kwak Pom Gi (WPK Secretary for Planning and Finance); i. O Su Yong (WPK Secretary for Light Industry); j. Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of the People's Security); k. Ro Tu Chol (Chairman of the State Planning Commission; and, l. Jo Yon Jun (Senior Deputy Director of the WPK Organization Guidance Department) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

DPRK leadership attending Ri Ul Sol’s interment ceremony: a. Kim Chol Man (Member, WPK Central Committee; former Chairman Second Economic Committee); b. Kim Yong Nam (SPA Presidium President); c. Gen. Ri Yong Gil (Chief of the KPA General Staff) ; d. Pak Pong Ju (DPRK Premier); e. Kim Ki Nam (WPK Secretary of Propaganda and Agitation); f. Gen. Kim Wo’n-hong (Minister of State Security); g. Kim Yang Gon (WPK Secretary for the United Front); h. Kwak Pom Gi (WPK Secretary for Planning and Finance); i. O Su Yong (WPK Secretary for Light Industry); j. Col. Gen. Choe Pu Il (Minister of the People’s Security); k. Ro Tu Chol (Chairman of the State Planning Commission; and, l. Jo Yon Jun (Senior Deputy Director of the WPK Organization Guidance Department) (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

At the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery a graveside service took place.  VMar Hwang Pyong So (Director of the KPA General Political Department) delivered a eulogy which was followed by mourning music and a gun salute as Ri Ul Sol’s casket was lowered into the ground.  Jong Un, along with the funeral committee and members of Ri’s family, placed dirt over MAR Ri’s casket.  A series of floral wreaths from Kim Jong Un, the WPK Central Committee, the WPK Central Military Commission, the National Defense Commission, the Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium and DPRK Cabinet were placed near the grave.  Jong Un then led the assembled mourners in another moment of silence, according to KCNA.

VMar Hwang Pyong So, Director of the KPA General Political Department, delivers a graveside eulogy for Ri Ul Sol on November 11, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

VMar Hwang Pyong So, Director of the KPA General Political Department, delivers a graveside eulogy for Ri Ul Sol on November 11, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

An honor guard fires rifles (left) and floral wreaths are placed during an interment ceremony for Ri Ul Sol at Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

An honor guard fires rifles (left) and floral wreaths are placed during an interment ceremony for Ri Ul Sol at Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un, members of Ri Ul Sol's family and members of the state funeral committee cover Ri's casket in dirt during an interment ceremony at Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun).

Kim Jong Un, members of Ri Ul Sol’s family and members of the state funeral committee cover Ri’s casket in dirt during an interment ceremony at Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery in Pyongyang on November 11, 2015 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun).

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