An elaborate state funeral is under way for the former North Korean ruler Kim Jong-il.
The country carried out a meticulously choreographed funeral for the late leader and affirmed that the country was now in the "warm care" of his young son, extending the Kim family's hold on power to a third generation.
North Korea's state television showed Kim's youngest son and successor Kim Jong-un walking next to his father's hearse as it made its way slowly through cold, snowy Pyongyang.
Dressed in a dark overcoat, he bowed his head slightly against the snow and raised his right arm in salute.
Walking behind was Jang Song Thaek, Kim Jong-il's brother-in-law and a vice chairman of the powerful National Defence Commission, who is expected to play a crucial role in helping Kim Jong-un take power.
Tens of thousands of mourners stood in heavy snow as they passed by. Soldiers stood in lines with their heads bowed.
Kim, who led the nation with an iron fist, died of a heart attack on December 17 at the age of 69.
Mourning is due to end on Thursday with a nationwide memorial service and three-minute silence at noon. Trains, ships and other vehicles are expected to sound their horns.
In the run-up to the event, pictures were released of a two-day visit by a delegation from neighbouring South Korea.
The group was led by the widow of former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who engineered a "sunshine" engagement policy with the North and held a landmark summit with Kim Jong-il in 2000.
They had a brief meeting with Kim Jong-un, and also met Kim Yong Nam, president of Presidium of North Korea's parliament. He often represents the country and is considered a nominal head of state.
The sides agreed to push for the implementation of 2000 and 2007 summit agreements between the countries aimed at expanding economic cooperation, the North's official Korean Central News Agency said briefly.
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