Pyongyang, December 31 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, assumed the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army.

This is a historic event reflecting the unanimous will of the servicepersons and people to defend the dignity of the country and the red flag of the revolution by dint of arms under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the Workers' Party and people of Korea, true to the behests of leader Kim Jong Il.

It was President Kim Il Sung's foresighted resolve and Kim Jong Il's intention to defend the country and the nation with arms.

Kim Jong Un, who came from the blood of the revolutionary family of Mt. Paektu, has all qualifications and traits befitting a statesman and military strategist of modern times.

He has wisely led the army, accompanying Kim Jong Il in inspecting army units.

His assumption of the supreme commandership provides sure guarantee for glorifying the great exploits performed by Kim Jong Il for the army building and carrying forward the cause of the Songun (military-first) revolution generation after generation.

The Korean army and people are rising up from the bitterest sorrow for the loss of the great father of the nation, encouraged by the supreme commander's colors, an invincible banner of their life and struggle.

They are determined to accomplish the revolutionary cause of Juche under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, another illustrious commander, true to the behests of leader Kim Jong Il.