North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has paid tribute to his late father as the country celebrated the 74th birthday of the former leader, the North's state media said Wednesday.

The North's young leader visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun with his wife Ri Sol-ju on Tuesday to mark the birthday of Kim Jong-il, known as the Day of the Shining Star, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

The mausoleum honors Kim Jong-il and Kim Il-sung, the founding leader of the North and grandfather of Kim Jong-un. The bodies of the two late Kims are kept there, along with large statues in their likeness.

North Korea's young leader Kim inherited power in late 2011, when his father suddenly died of heart failure.

The celebration came more than a week after North Korea launched a long-range rocket carrying what it called a satellite, dubbed the Kwangmyongsong-4, which was named after the late leader. Last month, the North carried out its fourth nuclear test, inviting strong international condemnation.

The North's media has lauded its late leader Kim Jong-il, citing his role in boosting the nation's sovereignty and dignity in the face of the United States' imperialist forces. It also called for generations-long loyalty for the current leader. (Yonhap)