Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- A parade of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards was held with splendor in Pyongyang on Friday in celebration of the 63rd founding anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Columns of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards from various provinces and complexes and those of the Young Red Guards and columns of motorized units which have been trained to be powerful civilian defence forces lined up at Kim Il Sung Square.

Amid the playing of the National Anthem and the song of "Long Live the Workers' Party of Korea" the flags of the DPRK and the WPK were hoisted.

Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the WPK, chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, appeared at the tribune of honor.

The tribune of honor was taken by senior party, army and state officials Kim Yong Nam, Kim Jong Un, Choe Yong Rim, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Yong Chun, Jon Pyong Ho, Kim Ki Nam, Yang Hyong Sop, Choe Thae Bok, Kim Kuk Thae, Kang Sok Ju, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Jong Gak, Kim Yong Il, Kim Yang Gon, Pak To Chun, Choe Ryong Hae, Thae Jong Su, Kim Phyong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok, Ju Kyu Chang, U Tong Chuk and Kim Chang Sop, Kim Yong Dae, chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party, officials of the party and armed forces organs and commanders of services and arms of the KPA.

Seen on the reviewing stand were officials of the party, armed forces and power bodies, social organizations, ministries and national institutions, former unconverted long-term prisoners who are pro-reunification patriotic fighters, servicepersons of the KPA and the Korean People's Internal Security Forces, officials in the fields of science, education, culture and arts, public health and media, heroes and heroines, bereaved families of revolutionary martyrs, labor innovators and working people.

It was also taken by delegations of overseas compatriots including the congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan to celebrate the 63rd birthday of the DPRK, visiting groups, overseas compatriots and the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.

Seen there were diplomatic envoys of different countries, members of the military attaches corps and representatives of international organizations here and foreign guests.

"Song of General Kim Il Sung" was played and a 21 gun salute was fired.

A clarion call was sounded to start the parade.

O Il Jong, commander of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards, made a report to Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, that columns of paraders have lined up to receive the inspection.

Kim Yong Chun and O Il Jong reviewed the columns of the paraders, congratulating them on the 63rd founding anniversary of the DPRK.

Kim Yong Chun made a report to Kim Jong Il in connection with the kick-off of the parade.

Kim Yong Chun made a speech.

He said that if the enemy dares violate the inviolable dignity and sovereignty of the DPRK, all the people will rise up with arms in their hands and give fullest play to the might of Songun Korea the whole of which has been fortified, thus defending the socialist country of Juche, their life and cradle of their happiness, as firm as a rock, mercilessly blowing up the hotbed of aggression and certainly accomplishing the historic cause of national reunification.

Then there began the march of the paraders.

The banner bearing President Kim Il Sung's portrait entered the square, escorted by the Worker-Peasants Red Guards holding red flags.

Amid the playing of military music including "The General Is Banner of Victory", "General, Review Us" and "March of Worker-Peasant Red Guards", columns of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards from every province and complexes including Pyongyang, South Phyongan and Ryanggang provinces, the Kim Chaek Iron and Steel Complex, the Rakwon Machine Complex, the February 8 Vinalon Complex and the Chollima Steel Complex and the columns of the Young Red Guards marched in fine array.

Marching past the tribune of honor, the paraders offered warm salute to Kim Jong Il.

He waved back to the columns of the paraders.

The columns of motorized units including direct-firing guns, howitzers, anti-aircraft guns and multiple launch rocket systems rolled past the Square.

The crowd who packed the square displayed letters "Kim Il Sung," "Kim Jong Il" and "Glory" and flags of the DPRK and the WPK in succession.

At the end of the parade Kim Jong Il came out to the balcony of the tribune of honor and warmly acknowledged the enthusiastic cheers of the masses.