Heavens above! North Koreans marvel at giant halo

SEOUL, Dec 25 (Reuters) A great halo observed near the North Korean capital left admirers revelling in the marvellous sight that occurred a day before a major anniversary, official media reported today.

KCNA said Saturday's mysterious phenomenon of nature occurred a day before the anniversary of leader Kim Jong-il's assumption of the top military post.

''The day was rather cloudy with soft hail falling. At about 9, there appeared an unprecedentedly great halo in the sky to the side of Pyongyang to the admiration of the watching people,'' KCNA said.

''The big ring around the sun stayed for 30 minutes, throwing bright rays of seven colours, and, when it disappeared, the hail stopped and not a speck of cloud was seen,'' it said.

Kim, the only son of the country's founding president Kim Il-sung who died in 1994, marked the 15th anniversary of his assumption of the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army yesterday.

In addition to the post, Kim also holds several other top positions, such as the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and the defence committee chairman. His father has been declared the eternal president of the communist country.

REUTERS MS PM1434