( CNN ) -- Huge crowds assembled in Pyongyang on Thursday at a national memorial service for the North Korean leader Kim Jong Il , the second day of state-orchestrated ceremonies to mourn the dictator who died earlier this month . The authoritarian regime used a mixture of somber music , hyperbolic speeches , booming artillery fire and blaring horns to honor the man who oversaw 17 years of despotic rule in the secretive nation . The ceremony took place a day after a funeral procession for Kim spent three hours winding through the snow-laden streets of Pyongyang lined with thousands of wailing mourners . Once again , the regime placed Kim Jong Un , the son and chosen successor of Kim Jong Il , at the center of proceedings , proclaiming him the `` supreme leader '' of North Korea -- a fresh indication that the leadership transition is progressing smoothly . The footage broadcast Thursday by North Korean state television showed thick rectangular blocks of people gathered in the snowy expanse of Kim Il Sung Square -- named after Kim Jong Il 's father , the founder of North Korea . Kim Jong Un and other senior members of the regime stood solemnly on a viewing platform overlooking the square . During the ceremony , a string of top officials took to the microphone to praise Kim Jong Il 's life and reinforce Kim Jong Un 's leadership credentials . `` Kim Jong Un is the supreme leader who has inherited Kim Jong Il 's beliefs , leadership , courage and guts , '' said Kim Yong Nam , the president of the North Korean parliament . Read about the funeral for Kim Jong Il . `` Kim Jong Il 's great achievements will shine forever , '' said Kim Ki Nam , a senior official in the powerful Worker 's Party . `` Following our party 's supreme leader , Kim Jong Un , we are converting our sadness to courage and we will achieve great things . '' Under Kim Jong Il , the country suffered a devastating famine even as it built up its million-strong army , expanded its arsenal of ballistic missiles and became the world 's eighth declared nuclear power . He died on December 17 , reportedly from a heart attack . News of his death , announced two days later , put the region on edge and set off speculation around the world about the country 's stability and future direction . For the time being , Kim Jong Un appears to be rallying support within the regime , despite his young age -- he is thought to be in his late 20s -- and relative inexperience . After the speeches Thursday , a row of heavy guns fired off a salute . Then , a cacophony of horns and sirens went off , drawing the service -- and the last day of official mourning -- to a close . CNN 's Tim Schwartz contributed to this report .
Artillery fire and blaring horns commemorate Kim Jong Il 's life . Speeches at the ceremony proclaim his son Kim Jong Un as 'supreme leader ' The service takes place a day after the elder Kim 's three-hour funeral procession . His death earlier this month has created uncertainty about the country 's stability .