Masked North Koreans mark Kim Jong Il's birthday

rth Koreans marked birthday of ir past leer Kim Jong Il Sunday with routine displays of reverence and loyalty, but in tune with times, state media showed many of m wearing face masks.

rth Korea has t yet officially reported a case of new virus, but it has taken strict steps to limit all travel in and out of country, and monitor its population for any signs of it.

State media have also reported extensively on spre of virus from China around world, warning people to take every precaution against infection.

February 16 is official birth date of Kim Jong Il, who took charge of rth Korea from 1994 to 2011.

This year is 78th anniversary of that official birth date.

rth Korea usually lays on bigger events for every fifth year of a major anniversary like this.