Hamhung, North Korea News

Kim Jong-il 's death was announced by the state media on 19 December 2011, with very brief and doubtful details on the time, place and cause of death.

Just before North Korean leader Kim Jong Il died, the skies glowed red above sacred Mount Paektu and the impenetrable sheet of ice at the heart of the mystical volcano cracked with a deafening roar.

The news agency is one of the chief propaganda organs tasked with building up the quasi-religious mystique around the Kim family Just before North Korean leader Kim Jong Il died, the skies glowed red above sacred Mount Paektu and the impenetrable sheet of ice at the heart of the mystical volcano cracked with a deafening roar.

Just before North Korean leader Kim Jong Il died, the skies glowed red above sacred Mount Paektu and the impenetrable sheet of ice at the heart of the mystical volcano cracked with a deafening roar.

State media say the ice on volcanic Lake Chon at the mountain in the far north cracked with a load roar.