On July 8th Kim Jong Il visited Mt. Keumsoo Memorial Palace, the mausoleum where Kim Il Sung’s body lies, according to Chosun Central Broadcasting and Pyongyang Broadcasting. It his first visit in three years and was made on the anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s death.

The North Korean media reported that Kim Jong Il paid his respects to Comrade Kim Il Sung with a formal bow, accompanied by leading military figures; Army Chief of Staff Kim Gyeuk Shik, Minister of the People's Armed Forces, Kim Il Cheol, the First-Vice-Director of the General Political Bureau of the Army, Kim Jeong Kak, and other military cadres.

On April 15th, the 96th birthday of Kim Il Sung, he also made a visit.

Since Kim Il Sung death in 1994, North Korean media has reported visits to Mt. Keumsoo Memorial Palace by Kim Jong Il along with other high officials on the 8th every year at 12 P.M. or early in the morning.

However, in 2006 and 2007, such worship was not reported through the media, so analysts were surprised. On July 5, 2006, a tense atmosphere was caused by the missile test and in early half of 2007 rumors of Kim Jong Il’s ill-health were circulating.

According to the analysis of Lee Gi Dong, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy, “They supposedly released the fact to raise an atmosphere of reverence because this year is the 60th anniversary of the foundation of North Korean regime.”

He explained that “It was known that Kim Jong Il worshiped every year but it was not reported. They report it when the authorities feel the necessity to strengthen solidarity of the people by reminding them of Kim Il Sung.”

Kim Jong Il visits the grave of Kim Il Sung to worship not only on the day of his father’s death but also on New Year’s Day or the anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Army (April 25).

Lee interprets this thus, “From Kim Jong Il’s perspective, he does not have any other choice but stick to the reign of Kim Il Sung’s instruction.