All the Korean people and progressive mankind pay the highest respect to the President in recognition of his undying contributions to the cause of the popular masses for independence and look back with emotion on his great life in humble reverence on the anniversary of his demise, the statement said.

It praised him as the benefactor of the liberation of the Korean people and their tender-hearted father and great leader.

It is quite natural that the Korean people are holding him in high esteem as the eternal leader even after he passed away, it noted.

We pay profound homage once again to Kim Il Sung who is always alive in the hearts of the world progressive mankind and wholeheartedly wish good health for General Secretary Kim Jong Il who is glorifying the President's revolutionary idea and undying feats, it added.