Reportedly, he had received medical treatment for cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases, and during the trip, Kim was said to have had an "advanced acute myocardial infarction, complicated with a serious heart shock".

[3][4] North Korean state media did not report Kim Jong Il's death until 51 hours after it occurred, apparently due to political jockeying and discussions that surrounded the official version of his legacy, as well as agreeing upon the membership of his funeral committee.

Following the official notice, a male news anchor wearing a suit and black tie proceeded to announce the entire funeral committee of Kim Jong Il in order of the rankings established by the authorities.

[7] The head of South Korea's National Intelligence Service said surveillance footage revealed that Kim's personal train, on which he is said to have died, did not move over the weekend.

[11] South Korea decided not to offer official condolences, mirroring both worsened relations after the ROKS Cheonan sinking and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong and its position after the death of Kim Il-sung in 1994.

[18] Observers believe the order of names on the list gives clues to the rankings of individuals in the regime's power structure with Kim Jong Un's position on top a further indication that he is Jong-il's successor as supreme leader.

It shows that the party will be stronger power than the military," because Kim Jong Il's brother-in-law Jang Song-taek or O Kuk-ryol, the vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission, are listed further down.

As solemn music played, Kim Jong Un entered the hall to view his father's bier, surrounded by military honour guards.

Army chief of the general staff Ri Yong-ho and defence minister Vice-Marshal Kim Yong-chun walked along the opposite side of the vehicle during the procession segments in the Kumsusan Memorial Palace.

[31] Kim Jong Un did not make an address but stood with his head bowed, watching from a balcony of the Grand People's Study House, overlooking the square.

[32] After the speeches, and a nationwide observance of three-minute silence, a row of heavy artillery guns were fired off in a 21-gun salute followed by a cacophony of sirens, horns and whistles sounded off simultaneously from trains and ships across the country to mark the end of the mourning period.

[36] State television then broadcast a military choir and wind band performing The Song of General Kim Jong Il to formally conclude.

[43] The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) claimed that strange natural phenomena occurred in North Korea around the time of Kim Jong Il's death.