North Korea's first girl band performs at Kim Jong Il's birthday bash

London, Feb 18 (ANI): Kim Jong Il's 70th birthday celebrations at Pyongyang saw North Korea's first girl band take centre stage, as they performed live in front of hundreds of senior officials, military leaders and citizens.

Decked out in military uniform and close to tears, the 'Art Squad' played live in the nation's capital city to celebrate the birthday of their former leader, who died two months ago, the Daily Mail reported.

Huge memorial celebrations were led by his son and successor Kim Jong Un, who has used this event to give the world's media an unprecedented view of his country.

He gave women in particular a leading role on the day, which included this girl band and the nation's top young synchronized swimmers.

A sombre Kim Jong Un wore a dark Mao-style suit and bowed deeply before a large portrait of his smiling father.

Hundreds of senior officials, military leaders and citizens also paid their respects.

Outside his palace, a huge crowd of North Korean soldiers lined up in neat rows listened to speeches praising his dynasty.

Later the new leader and other officials watched soldiers march by, followed by military jeeps and trucks carrying artillery guns and rocket launchers.

Fireworks exploded, military music boomed and people waved artificial pink and red flowers.

At Kim Il Sung Square, the main plaza in the capital, North Koreans bowed and laid flowers, including red 'kimjongilia' begonias, at a portrait of Kim Jong Il hanging on the Grand People's Study House. (ANI)