N. Korean leader mourns military official known for close ties with him on 2nd annv. of death

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited the cemetery of Hyon Chol-hae, known to have helped groom the current leader, on the occasion of the second year of his death, Pyongyang's state media reported Monday. Kim laid a flower at the grave of Hyon in the Patriotic Martyrs Cemetery in Sinmi-ri, Pyongyang, on Sunday afternoon, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Hyun, marshal of the Korean People's Army, died at 87 on May 19, 2022. He is known to have played a key role in assisting Kim Jong-il, father of the incumbent leader, in tightening his grip on the military and also helped groom Kim Jong-un as the next leader in the country's hereditary succession. The North's leader "paid high regard" to Hyon in reflection of his reverence, saying that Hyon's feats in building a strong army will be "immortal in history," the KCNA said. In 2022, North Korea held a state funeral for Hyon, chaired by Kim Jong-un and attended by key senior officials. Source: Yonhap News Agency