People are seen laying flowers or floral baskets before portraits of smiling Kim Jong Il displayed throughout the country, recollecting the undying feats he performed for the country and the people.

An old man, Ri Thaek Ju, living in Sosong District, Pyongyang, told KCNA, "I don't think the leader left his people. He is among the people. He is greeting the Lunar New Year with us."

Ri Won Sok, a teacher at Kim Chaek University of Technology, said:

"I feel a great pride in having him as our leader, whenever I look up to his image as bright as sun.

He remains in the hearts of all the Korean people as ever. We can see him in our songs and feel his breathing everywhere."

DPRK flags are fluttering in all streets across the country.

Also seen in the streets are slogans and postcards, which mirror the strong will of the people to make great achievements in this year's efforts for building a thriving nation, closely rallied around Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the Workers' Party, army and people of Korea, true to the behests of Kim Jong Il.