The statement noted that Kim Jong Il was born in the secret camp on Mt. Paektu and grew up to be successor to the revolutionary cause of Juche. He authored a large number of works to develop in depth the Juche idea and indicated the orientation and ways for defending and advancing the cause of socialism, it added.

He bolstered up the Juche-based defence capability of the DPRK and thus turned it into a socialist military power able to defeat any aggressors with its independent nuclear deterrent, the statement said.

Under his Songun leadership the national dignity of the Koreans is shining all over the world, it stressed.