Bird, flower grieved for Kim Jong-Il: State media

Official news agency describes apparent mourning by a bird

SEOUL: Mother Nature grieved for late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il both inside the country and overseas, the official news agency reported Thursday, describing apparent mourning by a bird and a flower.

The “natural wonder” occurred at the North’s embassy in Germany on December 20, the day after news of Kim’s death was announced, the agency said.

It said a Titmouse – a small songbird – stayed for an hour outside the embassy entrance, pecking at the glass, while a floral plant was in full bloom throughout the mourning period despite chilly winter weather.

“It seemed that upon hearing the sad news of the demise of the outstanding great man the bird flew to the mourning station to express condolences and flew away after standing vigil,” the agency reported.

The plant, meanwhile, “came into bloom in such cold winter day in token of mourning his demise”.

The communist state’s official media has reported several supernatural incidents of mourning inside North Korea since the leader died on December 17.

A dove-like bird was said to have brushed the snow off a statue of Kim. Owls and a Manchurian crane were also said to have exhibited grieving behaviour.

Ice reportedly cracked thunderously around Kim's supposed birthplace at Mount Paekdu while a glow was seen atop the mountain’s Jong-Il Peak.

Propaganda organs have built a vast personality cult around the Kim dynasty, which has ruled the country since its creation in 1948. They are sometimes credited with near-supernatural powers.

Kim's youngest son Jong-Un has taken over the leadership, the second dynastic succession after Kim Jong-Il succeeded his late father Kim Il-Sung.