Ri Pyong Pha, a department director of the Korean Kimilsungia-Kimjongila Committee, told KCNA:

"The committee is paying much effort to holding the 16th Kimjongilia Festival most splendidly.

The festival will take place at the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia Exhibition in Pyongyang from mid-February, on the theme 'Our leader immortal along with Kimjongilia.'

The exhibition is being decorated well to host the festival.

It will draw much more Kimjongilia flowers than before. Many of the exhibition stands will be conspicuous with portraits of Kim Jong Il with a broad smile on his face and pictures of the leader giving field guidance to economic sectors.

The festival will be attended by military organs, ministries, national institutions, people of various social strata, schoolchildren and organizations of oversea Koreans, including the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, as well as foreigners.

The number of applicants for the 16th festival is much higher than previous ones.

This year's climatic situation is not suitable for cultivating flowers because of the lower percentage of sunshine than the average year.

But many units in Pyongyang and local areas are cultivating Kimjongilia flowers in greenhouses with their utmost care."

Festival posters have already been created.