North Korea gave the world a rare glimpse inside the country as it laid its former dictator, Kim Jong Il, to rest Wednesday.

The country's state television broadcast images from the funeral.

Tens of thousands of people appeared to be in tears as Kim Jong Un, the late dictator's son, walked alongside the black hearse carrying his father's body.

During the 2-1/2 hour procession, the hearse drove through the streets of Pyongyang, touring places where Kim Jong Il had lived and worked.

Military officials stood at attention in the snow-covered plaza and later gave a 21-gun salute to their dead leader.

Many political observers called the funeral a highly choreographed event.

"I can't imagine anyone having genuine sorrow and condolences for this leader, but they're scared. These (scenes) are all staged," explained Lee Jung-Hoon, an associate dean of the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.

Kim Jong Un is expected to assume control of the country eventually. For now, his uncle is reportedly running things behind the scenes.