Before the inaugural meeting, George Mavrikos, general secretary of the WFTU, said that the untimely demise of Kim Jong Il in December last year was a great loss not only to the Korean people but to the world people and other working people.

At his proposal, the participants in the meeting observed a moment's silence in memory of Kim Jong Il.

Delegates of Vietnam, Syria, Iran, India, Nepal, Peru and other countries expressed deep condolences to the Korean people and other working people over his demise.

A letter to the dear respected Kim Jong Un was adopted at the meeting.

Kim Jong Un represents a banner of victory and glory and the center of eternal unity of Songun Korea, the letter said, adding he is fully identical to President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

The President gave an origin of the Korean working-class movement during his early revolutionary activities against Japanese imperialism and founded the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea right after the liberation of Korea, clearly indicating the way to be followed by the federation and wisely leading it, the letter noted.

Kim Jong Il led the activities of the federation at its every step, clarified the mission and tasks of the Korean working class in the struggle against imperialism and paid deep attention to solidarity and cooperation with the WFTU, it said.

It wished Kim Jong Un good health for the world peace and security and the victory in the anti-imperialist struggle.

The meeting also adopted a letter of solidarity to the Korean people and other working people on the occasion of the centenary of birth of the President and the 70th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il.

The letter extended firm support and solidarity to the Korean people and other working people, hoping that they would register great achievements in building a thriving nation and accomplishing the cause of national reunification under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.