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Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 5:45 AM UTC

Rocket still centerpiece as NKoreans mourn Kim

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Rocket still centerpiece as NKoreans mourn KimA North Korea man sits in a room near a photo of the Sputnik 1, the first artificial Earth satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, displayed at the Three Revolution Exhibition Hall in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. North Korea succeeded in putting a satellite into orbit on its fourth attempt on Dec. 12, drawing condemnation from countries that consider the launch a covert test of ballistic missile technology. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)(Credit: AP)

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea’s top leadership is calling the successful launch of a satellite proof that Kim Jong Un has the strength to lead the country one year after his father’s death.

A solemn Kim Jong Un joined top political, government and military officials Sunday in a national memorial service at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on the eve of the anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s death.

The Associated Press was among a handful of foreign and local journalists allowed to cover the closed meeting, which marked the start of events marking Kim’s death. Armed soldiers ringed the streets outside.

Kim Jong Il died on Dec. 17, 2011. North Korea sent a long-range rocket into space in his honor Wednesday, defying international warnings that the launch would be considered a banned missile test.

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