Millions of North Koreans pay their last respects to Kim Jong-il

An estimated five million North Koreans have paid their respects to their late leader Kim Jong-il.

The apparent emotional out-pouring appears to know no bounds throughout the capital, Pyongyang. Countless pledges of loyalty are also said to have been made to the new leader, Kim Jong-un, after the death of his father. But as the choreographed succession plays out, questions remain over how tight a grip on power the son has.

While his father has been lying in state, foreign diplomats have been greeted by Kim Jong-un, seeming to confirm that he is now in charge.

This has been his first official appearance since his 69-year-old father died of a heart attack on Saturday.

The concern now is that Kim Jong-un’s inexperience may mean he lacks the political skill to hold on to power.

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