The United States, Japan and European Union nations have led a boycott of a moment of silence at the United Nations General Assembly meant to acknowledge the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

According to RFE/RL, there were no speeches in the General Assembly honoring Kim, who died December 17, and the chamber of the 193-nation world body was half-empty when the moment of silence was held.

Britain, France, Germany and most members of the 27-nation European Union joined the December 22 boycott alongside the United States and Japan.

UN General Assembly president Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser said the silence was a "protocol" move following a request from North Korea's UN mission for a General Assembly tribute to Kim.

Diplomats say UN Security Council members rejected a North Korean request for a Security Council gesture to the authoritarian leader.

The North Korean regime, accused of serious human rights abuses, is under Security Council sanctions due to its nuclear weapons program.