The statement said that the Korean people have achieved great successes in building a socialist economic power full of conviction and optimism about victory, overcoming all sorts of trials and difficulties, adding that the key to these achievements lies in that they hold Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the supreme leader of the WPK.

Kim Jong Il laid down a programme on modeling the whole society on the Juche idea long ago, achieving the single-minded unity of the party, the army and the people, and is now leading the Korean people's drive for building a thriving nation to victory, the statement said, and went on:

Under the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il the WPK has waged a vigorous struggle to defend the sovereignty of the nation and achieve the independent reunification of the country and the human cause of independence, performing such world-startling miracle as the satellite launch.

The eye-catching successes achieved by the WPK in building man-centered socialism of Korean style under his leadership are greatly encouraging the progressive political parties and people in the world in their efforts to construct a new society and accomplish the cause of socialism.