More and more schools close, and theyre feeling the impact in their communities. People in north korea are observing the end of traditional mourning for their former leader kim jongil, died three years ago. Staterun media is commemorating kims life, and also highlighting the reign of his son and successor. At noon local time north korean staterun television observed three minutes of silence in kims honor. It has also been broadcasting a series of commemorative programs about him. People in pyongyang have been laying flowers on the streets in memory of the late leader. Military personnel bowed before his statue. Two senior bhebs of the Chinese Community party made condolence visits in beijing. Liu yunshan is a Standing Committee member of the political bureau. Wang jiarui is head of the partys international department. China has traditionally been north koreas closest ally. Relations had cooled since kim jongun had his uncle executed about a year ago on treason charges. The condolence v