He said that General Secretary Kim Jong Il has made tireless efforts and devoted all his wisdom to the prosperity of the country and happiness of the people, adding that his reverence for Kim Jong Il grew deeper while staying in the DPRK.

He stressed that Kim Jong Il has wisely led the army and people of the DPRK under the uplifted banner of Songun.

Socialist Korea has demonstrated its dignity and honor despite stern trials and difficulties as it is holding him in high esteem as an outstanding leader, he said, and went on:

The Korean people have remarkably increased the overall national power under his leadership.

Whenever I visit the DPRK, I am deeply impressed by the Korean people who have made great successes in socialist construction.

They are dynamically stepping up the building of a thriving nation to materialize his far-reaching plan.

World-startling successes are being registered in this course.

The reality of the DPRK goes to prove that the people under the tested leadership of a peerlessly great man can display inexhaustible strength.

I am convinced that the Korean people will open the gate to a thriving nation in 2012, the centenary of birth of President Kim Il Sung.