As for Kim Jong-un, KCNA only said, "Seen before the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il on Mansu Hill here was a basket of flowers from respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un."

It would be the first time that Kim has not attended the memorial service for his father since he died of a heart attack on Dec. 17, 2011, at age 69.

KCNA said crowds of government workers, citizens and foreign diplomats paid floral tribute at the statues and portraits of the deceased leaders.

The Rodong Shinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling party, hailed Kim Jong-il for "indicating the path of achieving the victory of socialism with his brilliant wisdom."

"The powerful political and military muscle built and cemented by him throughout his whole life is the best national power and the strongest weapon of socialist Korea," the newspaper said in its editorial. (Yonhap)