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ArabicAt midnight on April 15, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a customary visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, to mark the birthday of his grandfather and the country's founder Kim Il Sung. It has been 103 years since the late leader's birth in 1912. He died in 1994 at the age of 82.
North Korea marks 103 years since the birth of founder Kim Il Sung
Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un bows deeply as he visits the Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang to pay his respects to Kim Il Sung, his grandfather, on the 103rd anniversary of the late leader's birthday.
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Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
According to North Korean state media, Kim was accompanied to the Palace by officials Hwang Pyong So, Ri Yong Gil, Kim Won Hong, Kim Chun Sam, Pak Yong Sik, Jo Kyong Chol and other commanding officers of the KPA.
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Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
Kim entered the hall and placed floral tributes in front of statues of the country's former leaders. Kim became leader of the reclusive nation in late 2011, following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, who took over from his own father, Kim Il Sung in 1994.
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Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
April 15 is known as "Day of the Sun" in North Korea. It's a public holiday when locals are encouraged to celebrate the birth of the country's founder. Here, staff of the Yanggakdo hotel participate in a sports day.
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Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
Yanggakdo hotel workers wearing conical masks play a game on April 15.
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Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
Hotel workers compete in team events. You can't see it here but their ankles are tied with rope as they race across a line.
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Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
North Korean children pay their respects to Kim Il Sung at the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery.
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Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
Filing past statues at the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery.
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Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
A young girl plays the flute in images on KCTV, North Korea's state television, to mark 103 years since the birth of the nation's founder Kim Il Sung.
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Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
On April 14, thousands packed the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium to celebrate what would have been Kim's 103rd birthday.
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Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
Kim Il Sung died in 1994 after leading the country 46 years.
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Photos: North Korea's 'Day of the Sun' 2015
This file image dated 15 April 1992 shows former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung waving during celebrations marking his 80th birthday at Kim Il Sung stadium in Pyongyang.
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