The Big Picture: North Korea

"Boston.com: The Big Picture"

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il (center, seated), poses with the newly elected members of the central leadership body of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the participants in the WPK Conference at the plaza of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang in this picture released by the North's KCNA news agency. Kim Jong-un, the youngest son of Kim Jong Il, was recently promoted to senior political and military positions. (REUTERS/KCNA)

North Korean soldiers attend the Arirang mass games to mark the 65th anniversary of the communist nation's ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010.

North Korean dancers perform during the Arirang mass games on the 65th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea on Oct. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Dancers perform during a gala show to mark the 65th anniversary of the communist nation's ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

North Korean soldiers react during a massive military parade in Pyongyang on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

A boy wears a North Korean army hat near the Party Foundation Monument in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang October 11, 2010. (REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and his son Kim Jong Un attend the massive military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)