Pyongyang, October 14 (KCNA) -- The general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Ecuador issued a statement on Oct. 5 on the occasion of the 66th birthday of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Warmly congratulating the WPK on its birthday, the general secretary said:

The WPK founding was a historic event.

The WPK provided the Korean people with a peaceful and creative life.

Under the leadership of President Kim Il Sung the WPK has waged a positive struggle to protect the people's happiness and peace from the threat of foreign forces present in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.

General secretary Kim Jong Il has firmly defended the country's sovereignty and led the WPK to discharge its historic mission.

Availing myself of this significant day, I extend sincere congratulations to Kim Jong Il who has wisely led the WPK for the people's happiness.

We hope that national reunification, the desire of all Koreans, would be achieved at an early date and successes be achieved in the DPRK's socialist construction.