calendar>>August 1. 2009 Juche 98

Kim Il Sung Remembered in More than 170 Countries for Last 15 Years

Pyongyang, August 1 (KCNA) -- The last 15 years since July 8 of 1994 when President Kim Il Sung demised witnessed more than 6,000 events of various forms that have taken place in more than 170 countries to remember him.

Shocked at the sad news that the President passed away all of a sudden, many heads of state, government and political parties and organizations of many countries and international and regional organizations and personages of all social standings sent messages of condolences over his demise. They numbered nearly 3,500. More than 3,300 wreaths were presented and countless number of foreigners paid condolatory visits to the DPRK missions abroad.

20 countries and international organizations set a period of mourning and hoisted flags at half mast.

Mourning events and 100-day memorial services were took place in more than 160 countries amidst the concern of the governments, political parties and organizations. It was part of events to pay silent tribute to the President who was recognized as a world political elder before the start of any international conference and other meetings.

Committees for remembering the President were inaugurated every year in many countries including Pakistan, Ghana, Angola, Togo, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Democratic Congo, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Guyana and Peru.

Ceremonies of unveiling statues of the President and displaying his portraits took place at various units of Nigeria, Pakistan and Mongolia with large attendance.

The heads of state and government and political party leaders and personages of all social standings of various countries including Guinea, Syria, Cambodia, Equatorial Guinea, Guyana and Bulgaria laid floral baskets and bouquets before the statues and portraits of the President.

Chosica City of Peru awarded a gold medal and a diploma to the President in recognition of the undying contributions he made to global peace and independence while its Huaytara Province registered him as an honorary citizen.

Prominent figures of various countries and international and regional organizations in their statements and speeches made at press conferences highly praised the President as the greatest man in history and a world political elder who performed the most brilliant exploits in the annals of the 20th century.