North Korea marks the 81st anniversary of the birth of the country's late former leader Kim Jong Il on Thursday.

Kim Jong Il, the father of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, died in 2011. His birthday, February 16, is designated as a national holiday.

State-run Korean Central Television aired on Wednesday a flag-raising ceremony attended by citizens and military personnel ahead of the anniversary. The broadcaster praised Kim Jong Un, saying he is opening up a new era for national development.

On February 8, Kim Jong Un presided over a military parade in Pyongyang to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the North's armed forces.

He attended the parade with his wife and daughter, apparently intending to stress the legitimacy of the country's hereditary system.

Meanwhile, there is speculation that North Korea is facing pressing food shortages.

The Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party is scheduled to hold a plenary meeting late this month to discuss the country's agricultural policy. It will follow the previous plenary meeting in December.

The North's leadership is expected to use the February 16 anniversary to call for the people's unity and loyalty to Kim.