Kim Jong Il Dead: 'Nature Mourning' North Korean Leader Reports State Media

North Korean state media has reported "strange natural phenomena" that it says proves nature is "mourning" the death of Kim Jong Il.

Sudden cracking ice, glowing mountains and glorious sunsets have all been reported after the death of the leader was reported on Monday.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on its website that "peculiar natural wonders were observed on Mt Paektu, Jong Il Peak and Tonghung Hill in Hamhung City".

Ice covering Lake Chon was said to have cracked so loudly that the entire lake trembled with noise.

A nearby lake exploration group reported that a bitterly cold storm suddenly stopped and the clouds cleared across the lake.

Then "the sky began turning red with sunrise on the horizon" KCNA reported. "The peaks looked like a picture for wide and thick glow".

KCNA also noted that Kim's "autographic writings" were seen carved on the edge of a mountain, glowing in sorrow for the leader whose brutal 20-year dictatorship resulted in famine and economic catastrophe.

The state-controlled news service also reported how a crane flew around a statue of the president on Tonghung Hill and bowed its head before flying away.

"Even the crane seemed to mourn the demise of Kim Jong Il born of Heaven after flying down there at dead of cold night, unable to forget him," the news service said.

The news service also posted a bizarre report about mourning Koreans lining up to worship his famous khaki field jacket.

"Surging in their minds were strong feelings of yearning for leader Kim Jong Il," it said. "A peerlessly great man who made long journey of total dedication to the people, going in his casual jacket all his life."

Kim was reported to be lying in state this week ahead of his 28 December funeral. His son, Kim Jong Un, is expected to assume power as political leaders around the world push for a peaceful transition.