PYONGYANG : ‘Great Leader’ Rites

The funeral of Kim Il Sung, who led North Korea under a Communist system for more than four decades before his death Friday, will be held Sunday in the national capital, but little has been disclosed about the services. The official media so far have announced only that the day will be marked with a gun volley and a three-minute blowing of train and boat whistles.

Foreign dignitaries have not been invited to attend, and all foreigners have been banned from travel in the country in the weeklong period of mourning that began with the death by heart attack at 82 of the man North Koreans knew as the “Great Leader.”

His body will lie in state at the presidential palace in Pyongyang, but official reports have not made clear whether ordinary North Koreans can enter the building. His son, Kim Jong Il, is expected to take over the reins of government.