DPRK state television has released video footage of Kim Jong Il's body lying in state at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang. The country's senior military and political officials, joined Kim Jong Un, his father's third son and chosen successor, at the service to pay their respects.

In this photo released by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s official KCNA news agency, the body of DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Il lies in the bier at the Kumsusan Memorial in Pyongyang, DPRK, Dec. 20, 2011. [Xinhua]

Kim Jong Il lies in state at the very palace that also houses his late father and founder of the DPRK Kim Il Sung.

His abrupt death sent shockwaves across the world, but was felt nowhere more powerfully than at home.

The announcement of Kim Jong Il's death from a heart attack, sent crowds of people into the streets of Pyongyang, crying uncontrollably over the loss of their leader.

Now the reigns of power fall on Kim Jong Il's third son.

In this combination picture released by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s official KCNA news agency, the body of DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Il lies in the bier at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace as his son, Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), and other senior party, government and army officials pay their respects in Pyongyang, DPRK, Dec. 20, 2011.[Xinhua]

Believed to be in his late 20s, Kim Jong Un was Kim Jong Il's third son and was visibly struck viewing his father's glass coffin.

Making his first public appearance since the death of his father, Kim was flanked by the DPRK's most senior military and political officials, a group he will be looking to to help him consolidate his succession.

The DPRK's state media has called on the people to support the man who has been named the "great successor," as the world closely watches the transition unfold.