DPRK marks birthday of late leader on Day of Shining Star
CGTN
["china"]
Tens of thousands of Pyongyang residents paid tribute to the statues of late leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Saturday, the Day of the Shining Star.
It was also the 77th birthday of the country's former leader Kim Jong Il.
A floral basket sent by the top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un was seen at the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill on the day set to commemorate his late father's birthday.
Local television broadcasted footage of Kim visiting the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where he was joined by officials and bowed in front of statues of his father and grandfather. 
Visitors placed blooms and flower baskets before the figures, lined up and bowed deeply to the statues to show their respect.
"We often come here to pay tribute to our great leaders as we regard them as our parents. We could not have lived a peaceful life without our great leaders," a visitor calling himself Pak said.
Local people also visited the week-long Kimjongilia flower exhibition that opened Thursday at the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Exhibition Hall as a way to commemorate their late leaders.
(With inputs from Xinhua)