North Koreans are marking the seventh anniversary of the death of leader Kim Jong Il with visits to statues and vows of loyalty to his son and successor, Kim Jong Un.

As snow fell Sunday, tens of thousands of people offered flowers and paid respects to the late leader at Mansu Hill Grand Monument in central Pyongyang, the location of huge bronze statues of the “Dear Leader” and national founder Kim Il Sung.

The anniversary observations were expected to continue across the country on Monday.

The death of Kim Jong Il on December 17, 2011, thrust his son into power when he was still in his late 20s and a virtually unknown figure outside of North Korea.