His body was lying in state in the Kumsusan Memorial Palace, a mausoleum where the embalmed body of his father – national founder Kim Il Sung – has been on display in a glass sarcophagus since his death in 1994.

A state funeral will be held there on December 28.

Ri Ho Il, a lecturer at the Korean Revolutionary History Museum, said: ‘Our General is our people’s benevolent father. He defended our people’s happiness, carrying on his forced march night and day.’