North Korea remembers late founder Kim

PYONGYANG, North Korea, July 8 (UPI) -- A memorial service was held in North Korea Wednesday to mark the 15th anniversary of the death of the country's founder Kim Il Sung, state media said.

The Yonhap News Agency said, citing North Korean state media, among those attending the national service at Pyongyang Indoor Stadium was Kim's son, current North Korean leader Kim Jong Il .

Ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam said at the memorial the late North Korean leader was a "peerlessly great man whom the Korean people greeted and held in high esteem."

Kim died in 1994 of a heart attack, elevating Kim Jong Il to the leadership.

Yonhap said prior to Wednesday's memorial service, Kim Jong Il visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang with several top military officials. The palace, which once served as Kim Il Sung's office and residence, is the holding place of the late leader's embalmed body.