He waved back to the enthusiastically cheering participants in the plaza of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace.

Accompanying him were Vice Marshal of the KPA Kim Yong Chun, minister of the People's Armed Forces, KPA General Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff, KPA General Kim Jong Gak, first vice-director of the KPA General Political Bureau, KPA Generals Kim Myong Guk and Hyon Chol Hae and other commanding officers of the army.

Kim Jong Il warmly congratulated the participants, who have been valiantly fighting at the outpost of the country, readily dedicating their youth and lives with the steadfast spirit of devotedly defending the leader, ardent patriotism and the spirit of devoted military service, and had a photo session with them.

He highly appreciated the feats performed by them, saying that they, brave front-line soldiers, are the patriots defending the security of the country and the people with arms in their hands while exposing themselves to the cold wind, snow and rain and the Songun revolutionary comrades and the precious treasure of the Workers' Party of Korea who are dedicating their worthy youthful days at the frontline.

The Supreme Commander also met with the soldier-builders who have performed labor feats in socialist construction and had a photo session with them.

He extended warm greetings to the enthusiastically cheering soldier-builders in the plaza of the Kumsusan Memorial Palace.

Present at the session were KPA Vice Marshal Kim Yong Chun, minister of the People's Armed Forces, KPA General Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff, KPA General Kim Jong Gak, first vice-director of the KPA General Political Bureau, and commanding officers of KPA unit.

He warmly congratulated the soldier-builders on the heroic merits they performed in socialist construction by fully displaying the revolutionary soldier spirit.

The soldier-builders of KPA are fighters with the do-or-die spirit not knowing impossibility as they successfully built a large number of monumental edifices, including the swimming complex of Kim Il Sung University, the Ice Rink and the Changgwang Health Complex, thus fully demonstrating the might of Juche Korea over the world and greatly contributing to the prosperity and development of the country, he said, adding that their admirable feats would be always remembered by the people.