North Korean broadcasters filled their airtime overnight with special programs honoring the North’s former leader Kim Jong-il as Wednesday marks the third anniversary of his death.
 
In a program aired at midnight on Tuesday by Korean Central Television, female anchor Ri Chun-hee, who announced the news of Kim’s death in 2011, read a condolatory statement. In the address, Ri claimed that thanks to Kim, North Korea has attained the status of a satellite-launching and nuclear-weapon state.
 
The state-run broadcaster also aired a video clip, in which North Korean residents were paying a three-minute silent tribute to Kim at many different venues, including the Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang.
 
The state-run newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, said Wednesday that a great era of military-first rule was followed by another great era under Kim Jong-un, the late leader's son.
 
The paper emphasized the legitimacy of Kim Jong-un’s leadership, calling him a third consecutive hero for the Korean people. 

On Wednesday, the North reported on a large-scale commemorative event at a plaza in front of the Geumsusan Memorial Palace which was attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his wife. 

The Supreme People's Assembly Presidium President Kim Yong Nam gave an address at the ceremony.