On Sunday ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-nam praised Kim Jong-il's role in the rocket launch at the giant rally in a Pyongyang sports stadium.

BBC: North Koreans mark Kim Jong-il death anniversary

Kim Yong-nam, formally the number two leader, told a million-strong crowd their sorrow would be turned into strength "1, 000 times greater under the leadership of comrade Kim Jong-un".

BBC: North Korea hails Kim Jong-un as leader

"Respected Comrade Kim Jong-un is our party, military and country's supreme leader who inherits great comrade Kim Jong-il's ideology, leadership, character, virtues, grit and courage, " Kim Yong-nam told the massive crowd gathered in Kim Il-sung square.

BBC: North Korea hails Kim Jong-un as leader